I 



THE 



WONDERFUL WHEEL 



OF 



T XT N :m 



FOUNDED ON THE LIFE OF 

Solon Currier, 



A booh of remembrance was written — Mal. 3 : 16, 



LACONIA, N. H. 

PRINTED BY JOHN H. BREWSTER, 

1867. 



*$ 



¥Z $ &*/ 



1 



PREFACE. 



Early in life I was impressed with the idea, that 
making a record of one's life, tended to ennoble it. There 
is an advantage in being able to produce a Book, for 
then we can send the truth where we cannot go ourselves, 
and speak to multitudes where our voice cannot be heard. 
Thus a good Book will be doing it3 work when the au- 
thor is no more. I might instance a case in illustration. 
I refer to the writings of John Bunyan. If Job want- 
ed his adversary to write a Book, why should any have 
any objection to my making an attempt, though I may 
not have the previously acquired reputation as an author ? 
It is well, now and then, to get little of something from 
a new hand i How well I have succeeded in this attempt 
I leave the public to judge. The author, 

SOLON CUKBIEE, 



INTRODUCTION. 



* O, that my words," says Job, " were printed in a 
book." The writings of Samuel, and what John saw, 
were recorded in a book, for the time to come. Here is 
presented the product of a Granite State man, and those 
that would understand it must read and reflect. A long 
time and much patience is required to produce a Me- 
thuselah of a book to go forth on its mission in these 
latter ages, as a nurse of virtue, a prop of independence, 
a repeller of scorn, and an upholder in adversity. Who 
is able to go up that hill, hard to climb, where the fall 
reservoirs are ? Candid reader, leave the god of delu- 
sion, and lay hold on solid realities. The shining glass, 
raised by novelty, will soon wear away, unless there is 
merit to hold the attention. 

In view of the excellencies of a new and stirring 
work, the minute bearing and ramifications of a progres- 
sive mind, a sound understanding is of great importance. 
I would summon my fellow men to come up to the stand- 
ard of the higher life, to be unimpassioned and unpreju- 
diced, and possessed with a willingness to acknowledge 
merit wherever found. In traveling up the hill of 



6 INTRODUCTION. 

knowledge and of Zion, I meet many coming down. In 
my onward march, I must say to such as are unwilling 
to go ahead, to take care to get out out of the way, lest 
they be run over. Those that lumber along the road,, 
may feel envious at one who passes them in a whiz. 
Let rotten-ripe old systems be shaken, as in a thunder 
fit, and a cry be raised in God's name for burdened and 
crushed humanity. As all is not gold that glitters, one 
must look out in sailing down life's labyrinth, lest a de- 
scent be made upon him like a comet from the skies. 
After alh help and defence comes from the Almighty,, 
and hope is in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob* 
Let a man be valued for what he is worth, takiog into 
the account every successful stroke of the pen. Why 
crush the innocent, to save the head from being wound- 
ed, from the house of the wicked ? 

It would seem that this was not to be the case forever^ 
from the inquiry of one of old, " Whoever perished, be- 
ing innocent? or where were the righteous cut off?" 
Why laugh at the trial of the holy when the scourge 
slayeth suddenly ? Fortunately the island of the inno- 
cent and pure shall be delivered. 

S. CURRIER. 



DEDICATOKY AND EPISTOLARY. 



To the mass who read is this book respectfully dedi- 
cated. The Holy being above narrow prejudice, will be 
able to peruse its contents in the light of a sound under- 
standing and the word of God. Deliverance must be 
granted to all the children of Christ, and such as are on 
the Enemy's side should have their eyes opened. When 
the leaders of a community are false, there is danger 
lest the whole social fabric become heartless as punk- 
wood. They run like little snakes into the old one's 
mouth. See them hug their shell forms and clank their 
chains. A basis of reform is what they need. 

S. CURRIER. 



Certificates. 



This may certify, that the bearer, brother S. Currier, 
is a member of our Biblical School, and a Licensed 
Preacher of the Freewill Baptist Connection. 

J. J. BUTLER. 
Whitistown, N. Y., June 11, 1853. 



New Hampton, May 1, 1S60. 

We, the undersigned, citizens of New Hampton, and 
professors of religion, do hereby certify, that we have 
known brother Solon Currier for a number of years, 
and believe him to be an humble follower of Christ, a 
man of strict truth and veracity. 

O. R. BACHELOR,* OLIVER BLAKE, 

JOHN BOEN. JONATHAN KELLEY, 

DANIEL W. WILSON, DAVID EDGERLY, 
JOSEPH CLEAYELAND, MARTIAL BOEN, 

C. R. HEATH, J. O. SANBORN, 
JOHN C. GORDON, JOHN BROWN, 

D. E. FIFIELD, B. H. CARLETON. 
ALONZO CHENEY, F SEAVEY, 
JOHN NASH, JOHN KELLEY, 
JAMES HIGHT, JOHN M. FLANDERS. 

* I have known Mr. C jars, and lived within twenty 

rods. 



10 CERTIFICATES. 

This may certify, that I have for many years been ac- 
quainted with the family of Aaron Currier of this town, 
and that they have during this time held a highly re- 
spectable position in society, and enjoyed an unblemish- 
ed moral reputation. 

WILLIAM R. JEWETT, Pastor of Cong. Church. 
- mouth, May 10, 1860. 



the subscribers, citizens of Plymouth, N. H., and 

ity, hereby certify, that we are acquainted with So- 

Currier, formerly of this town, but late of New 

Hampton, and consider him of good moral character, 

and his word for truth and veracity above the reproach 

v person. 

WILLIAM R. JEWETT, JOHN H. THOMPSON, 
SAM. A. BARNS, JOHN S. LADD, 

D. R. BURNHAM, GILMORE HOUSTON, 

L M. HOWE, DANIEL C. WHEELER, 

JEREMIAH S. ROBIE, 

Plymouth, May 11, 1860. 



To whom it may Concern. 



signifies, that the bearer, Solon Currier ot New 
Hampton, N. H., being a member of the F. Baptist 
Church in Holderness, Carroll Co. N. PI., has this day 
received license to preach the Gospel for one year, by 
vote of the Sandwich Q. Meeting, convened at Mere- 
dith, N. H., May 27, 1856. 

In behalf of the Sandwich Q. Meeting. 

JOHN RUNNELS, Clerk. 
Meredith, Mav, 27, 1856. 



11 
The State of New Hampshire. 

[L. S.] To the I ps of School District, No. 

the town of S] 

You are herebj 1 to meet at the School H 

in said 

instant, at seven 
action of r ing busin 

. 

Art. 2. To se< 
I 

Given under my I 
30th day 






jo:: 



'17:- ' ... y-:. ■".": :::r.v '_ ::.:: v::~:> 



ted with Solon . m, and 

... 

:gton gi 

JOHN A. DRAK1 
JOHN NUTTING, 



12 CERTIFICATES. 

Concord, N. EL, March 8, 18( 

Messrs. Daniell & Son. 

The bearer, a stranger to us, wishes us to print him a 
book, which will cost him some §400. We have said to 
him. seeing he is a stranger to us, that if he will furnish 
paper. ($150) we will upon his paving us S100, (which 
he proposes to do.J assume the rest of the risk, tru?ting 
to his honesty for our balance. Our risk will be $150. 
We wish it distinctly understood, that we do not, in any 
sen-" ;his man, morally, socially, or peeuni- 

for he is an entire stranger to us. 

We have what little faith we have, on the strer 
which he has shown us. 

Respectfully yours, &c. 

FOGG, HADLEY & CO. 



[Letter from Horace Wentworth, Esq.] 

Boston, August 6, 1867. 
Solon Currier, E 

Sir : — Yours received. The price of stereotyping such 
a be meDtion, in long primer type, (whieh is 

what you want.) would be abc per page. It 

might be five cents more or I 

I would caution ;ainst about publishing at pre- 

sent. It is a hard time for new books. The book would 
only sell for $1,25, paying at the most, 10 per ct. profit, 
and your plates after you have done selling the book, 
will be worth to ; it four cents per page for old 

metal. You may think we are over cautious, but having 
lost thousands of dollars on stereotype plates, we think 
it ri \ a a bint in that direction. We know 

nothing, of course, of the merits of your work, but 
would advise you I by some one posted in such 



CERTIFICATES. IS 

matters, and competent to judge whether or not it would 
pay as a speculation, for that is the point you want to 
get at. If it meets the approval of competent judges, 
even then, I should advise you not to be in too great a 
hurry to stereotype it. Whatever your decision may be 
we wish you success. 

Respectfully, yours, &c. 

H. WENTWORTH. 



From the Independent Democrat of August 29, 1867. 

Literary. Rev. Solon Currier of Plymouth, N. 
H., of the Freewill Baptist denomination, has written 
and is about to publish, his autobiography, in a 12 mo. 
volume of about 200 pp. Mr. Currier has had some 
strange experiences in life, and his book will, no doubt, 
be interesting and curious. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

My Ancestry and Birth — Early Reflections and Peculiari- 
ties — An attempt to Learn a Trade — Conversion and Call 
to Preach, &c» 

CHAPTER II. 

Union with the Freewill Baptist Church — Life a3 a Stu- 
dent — Licensed to Preach — Extensive Labors as a Traveling 
Minister — Teaching School — A letter from A. J, Tallant 
and Amasa Fogg — The Death of my Mother. 



CHAPTER IE. 

Marriage to Mimory Ann Meacharn — Our Struggles as a 

Family— The Erection of a House The Birth of a Son— 

An account of my labors in the hay-field, the woods, and in 
the business of selling books. 



CHAPTER IV. 

My Success as a Preacher — A Prayer at New Hampton— 
A Union Prayer Meeting — Breakers Ahead— Impolitic Pro- 



16 CONTENTS. 

ceedings— Hell insighted against me— The Wreck of my 
beloved Family— My Overthrow. 



CHAPTER V. 

God Saveth by Miracle, and giveth his Children the Vic- 
tory—A child saved by the Interposition of the Almighty- 
Letters sent out about me. 



CHAPTER VI. 

The Letter declaring my Independence from the Church — 
Formed a Society of the Friends of God— The Free Meth- 
odists—The Case of Lottie Boomer— How I sounded the 
alarm at New Hampton — How taken by the Devil. 



CHAPTER VII. 

A Letter to Lottie Boomer, dictated by B. H. Carleton — 
My Reason Dethroned— The state of my mind developed in 
strange Acts— Nearly three years of Asylum Life, &c. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

My Conversion from Insanity — My Gradual Improvement 
— At Home— Visit to Nova Scotia and Virginia— The Losing 
my Valise. 



•CONTENTS, 17 

CHAPTER IX. 

Choping Wood — In the Book Agency — The License 
Question — Affairs with the Church — A Prayer Meeting at 
the Methodist Church in Plymouth — My Views and Position. 

CHAPTER X. 

Remarks about My Wife— Preaching at New Hampton — 
Obtaining Subscribers for My Rook — A Sabbath School 
Excursion. 

CHAPTER XL 

The Turner Love Letters — Objections Raised to My Pub- 
lishing a Book — Objections to my Preaching the Gospel — 
nag Letter. 



CHAPTER 1 

stry and Birth — Early Reflections and Peculiarities 
— An attempt to Learn a Trade — Conversion and Call to 
Preach. 

MY ANCESTRY AND BIRTH, 

I am a son of Aaron Currier, and great grand sen 
of Elder Samuel Currier. I have three brothers and 
five sisters, four of whom are older and four younger 
than myself. There was one still-born, of which little 
account is to be made. My mother, whose virgin name 
was Anna Hoag, was of Quaker descent. My grand 
mother Hoag died at the age of about ninety, having 
brought up a family of fourteen children, and I reckoned 
that she had at her death, one hundred grand-children, 
one hundred and twelve great grand-children, and three 
great-great-grand children. My natural kin are numer- 
ous on every hand, and are generally considered wealthy 
and respectable. The JToags claim to be heirs of an im- 
mense fortune in England. My step-mother has two 
children ; Charles and John Currier. 

I was born May 23d, 1830, at Plymouth, Grafton Co. 
N. H. Must my life be considered a blank, while the 
atom in the breeze, the gentle zephyr, and the faintest 
ray of reflected light, have their appropriate work. In- 
deed, I must have had a little capital in life from the 
onset, not in the scale of merit, but of blood, in being 
reckoned above our old dog Caper. My brain might at 
first have been little more than a mass of mere pulp, but 



20 EARLY REFLECTIONS. 

let not parents despair at the backwardness of little d 
dren. 

EARLY REFLECTIONS AND PECULIARITIES 
At an early age I was seriously impressed, and faintly 
believed I was destined to teach an unbelieving world, 
the greatness of the human soul. When at the age of 
about ten, a revival of religion came to the people of the 
Lower Intervale in Plymouth. My sister Phebe, as a 
Congregationalism and Daniel and Mary, as Methodists, 
were happy, I suppose, in the Rock of their salvation. 
As for myself, I made some efforts to be a Christian, but 
built on the sand, like many others. In the midst of the 
vanities peculiar to my age, I was impelled on in the 
road that leads to destruction. I attempted to perform 
feats in dancing and climbing buildings, the sign-post, the 
tall pine, to place an image in the top, and the lightning 
rod, to touch the highest point on the steeple of the meet- 
ing-house. 

I was oft fishing, and in two years I caught 1137 fish, 
I might speak of driving cows, of clearing land, of rais- 
ing potatoes, &c, for myself, of work on the farm, of 
washing at the tub, of making rake-handles, of building 
shanties, of choping and shingling, of partitioning rooms 
in the shed, of making tools, of gleaning hay, of skin- 
ning dead lambs, and of making stone-heaps, and a wall 
by the side of the brook, &e. 

ATTEMPT TO LEARN A TRADE. 

November 12th, 1844, I went to "Wentworth, expect- 
ing to live with my uncle Milo E. Haines, until I was 
21, and learn the Cabinet trade. May 23, 1845, com- 



CONVERSION AND CALL TO PREACH. 21 

dieted my loth year. God's spirit strove with me, and 
I felt that I was a sinner. In the evening I tried to 
pray, and George S. Dean at one time talked with me 
about religion. 

But on the whole I chose to procrastinate the day of 
repentance, as if, like Felix, I would seek a more con- 
venient season. I invented and made a puzzle-house, 
which cost me much time and labor. 

Attended a large temperance celebration on the -4th 
of July, and wished to speak in favor of the cause of 
temperance, but dare not. About the first of 1846, I 
returned home and attended school. In several months 

er an exhibition in which I took a prominent part, I 
-started for Wentworth. 

CONVERSION AND CALL TO PREACH. 

Very providentially I found a prayer meeting at West 
ymouth. I told B. Ellis that I was going in to meet- 
ing and see if I could get some good ; for there was 
great need of it. This was the first Freewill Baptist 
prayer meeting I ever attended, and being a time of revi- 
val interest, I was struck under powerful conviction. 

Realizing that God's unseen hand had led me to the 
meeting, I felt thankful that it had been so ordered, as I 
decided to become a Christian. The next morning feel- 
ing it a duty to kneel down and pray, alone, in the woods, 
I was fearful as though the evil one was behind my back. 
Eld. A. S. Clifford bid me God-speed, and I faced the 
wind through Rumney, and so on, to Wentworth. I 
again commenced work for my uncle but was troubled , 



22 CONVERSION AND CALL TO PREACH. 

for I had found no peace to my soul. I tried to bend the 
knee in secret prayer, and shame the Devil ; but for 
some time I dare not. Attended a temperance lecture 
of Thomas J. Whipple, Esq., at North Rumney. I made 
a speech, and the Esq. said, he was glad to see the 
youth engaged in the cause of temperance. I attended 
one Class Meeting and frequented the Sabbath meet- 
ings, but all appeared dark aud forboding. I ventured 
to inform Priest I. S. Davis of the state of my mind. 
Sister Davis appeared much rejoiced at my decision, 
and said she always thought much of me. They gave 
me a bible and good counsel, and prayer was offered.. 
In view of the precious promises to the young, this pas- 
sage was repeated, " Those that seek me early shall find 
me." After retiring for the night, in view of the cer- 
tainty of the promises and a consciousness of the sincer- 
ity of my heart in seeking, I felt the evidence of my re- 
demption, and was consequently filled with joy unspeak- 
able. In reply to letters which I wrote, I received the 
three following : 



Newbury, Vt., April 16, 1846. 
Dear Brother : — With pleasure I attempt to answer 
your affectionate letter. Pleased, indeed, was I to hear from 
the place where you live, and especially from one with whom 
I have spent many happy hours ; but who could tell my feel- 
ings when I heard you were converted to God ? Could I have 
heard that a fortune of a thousand dollars, or the greatest 
earthly honor was conferred upcn you, it would have been a& 
nothing in comparison with what I heard in your letter. A 
sinner converted to the Saviour is not only an occasion of 
rejoicing among men, but even among the angels in Heaven. 



LETTERS. 23 

Angels rejoice over one sinner that repenteth. I believe I 
know something of your feelings. All things undoubtedly 
with you seem to be new. The things that you once disliked 
you now love 5 and your affections instead of being placed 
upon earthly things, are placed upon things above. You 
love to associate with Christians, and strive to point sinners 
the way to eternal life. I am rejoiced that you have taken 
up the cross, and are urging and praying your youthful asso- 
ciates that they may go with you to Heaven. O, may you 
continue so to do. Stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ 
has made you free. Be steadfast, unmoveable, always aboun- 
ding in the work of the Lord. It is true you have many 
things to contend with in this world, but the Saviour has said 
that his grace shall be sufficient for you, and that too under 
all circumstances, whether in health or in sickness, in adver- 
sity or in prosperity. 

I would say that as regards myself, I remain at home in 
Newbury. From the time I left Went worth my health has 
not been as good as it was before. I was taken last spring 
with the inflammation on my lungs, and through the win 
and summer it affected me but little, being able to work 
about as well as ever; but as the cold weather came en I was 
worse, and for fear of the striking to my lungs, the doctor did 
not permit me to go out doors for three months in the winter. 
As the warm weather came on I felt better, but it is very un- 
certain whether I shall ever be restored to good health. On 
the third of April my sister died with the consumption . She 
had been married five years. Her trust was in the Lord, and 
.she died happy. I can say it is a good thing to be afflicted, 
and my light affliction which lastest but for a moment, I trust 
will work out for me a far more exceeding weight of glory. 

Should I be able I may come to Wentworth this summer. 

How I should like to see you and the other scholars again 

ae school, and talk to them about Jesus, but I expect 

never to meet them all again upon the shores of time. Could 



24 LETTERS. 

they see me, and as they gaze upon niy pale countenance r 
they would, undoubtedly, feel to say, u Ah ! he does not look 
as he did when he kept school here ! 

Blessed be God, my trust is in Jesus. If the outward man 
continues to perish, I trust the inward man will be renewed 
day by day. If this earthly house of my tabernacle were 
dissolved, I hare a building not made by hands, eternal and 
in the heavens. 

Give my love to those with whom I became acquainted, 
especially to those that I met at prayer meetings. I should 
be happy to hear from you when you have an opportunity 
to write. 

From your affectionate brother, 

DAVID McINDOE. 



Plymouth, N. II., April 26, 1846. 
Absent Brother: I received your letter with pleasure, 
and was glad to hear from you such good news. It was differ- 
ent from what I expected. It gives me joy to think of it. I 
rejoice to think ycu are living the life of a Christian. I hope 
you will always be so decided, and not be led away by the 
sinful lusts of this vain and transitory world ; for he that 
thinks he stands must take heed lest he fall. I hope you will 
look to Him who is the foundation of all good, for help to 
keep you in the right path that leads to immortal glory be- 
yond the grave. We know not when we may be ealled to 
bid adieu to earthly scenes. May the blessing of that Being 
who is able to save and support us, be ours to enjoy. Let us 
rejoice for evermore, and give thanks to Him for his tender 
mercies and long forbearance with us. It stands us in band 
while we have life and opportunity, to prepare for the solemn 
. for we shall have to give an account for all the deeds 
done here in the body, whether good or evil. Solon, I 
to see you very much indeed. I think of you every day. 



LETTERS. 25 

have wanted to see you more since you left home the last 
time than ever I did before. I miss you very much and often 
■wish you were at home. I often think of the time when you 
were here, but it is gone never to return. You must come 
the first opportunity you have. I should like to come to 
Wentworth very much, but cannot at present. Armina says 
she should like to come and see you. Emily wants to see 
you, and sit in your lap, and have you comb her hair. She 
has got a little lamb. Martha Ellis was at our house yester- 
day, and Eliza Ann went home with her, and is going to stay 
two or three days. Henry and James have gone to meeting 
to-day, and as I could not, I thought I would write to you, 
having a good opportunity to send it by Mr. Smith. Tell 
Aunt Parna to come and see us as soon as she can, for it has 
been a long time since she was here. James finished going 
to school last week. Daniel will have some gloves to make 
in a short time. Mother is as well as common and all the rest 
of the family. Write the first opportunity. 
I am your affectionate sister, 

MARY A. CURRIER. 



West Plymouth, N. H., April 30, 1846. 
Dear Brother : — With pleasure I sit down to write you 
a few lines, in answer to your letter which I received last 
evening while at prayer meeting in the room where you met 
with us. I was truly thankful to hear from you such good 
news, and to hear that the Lord was with you, and that you 
are decided on the Lord's side to live and die. Dear brother, 
I will say to you, that prayer is the life of the soul. First, 
secret prayer should be strictly attended to. Always bear 
the cross, lor in doing that, there is great reward, for God 
has promised it. Go on my brother, God will be with you 
until the end. Be faithful and he will never forsake you in 
this world nor in the world to come. If you meet with per- 
secutions fear not, but put your trust in God, and remember 



LETTERS. 

that Christ was persecuted and tempted while on earth, a^ 

we are, yet without sin. and he knows how to deliver us, and 

all that are tempted and persecuted. I pray God to sanctify 

folly to his own will both now and forever. I will say 

for your encouragement, that we are prospering here as a 

church. The Lord is with us. We have had some convert- 

:ice you left us. The Lord is good and greatly to be 

praised. I bless God for what he has done for you and ufl 

One word more a: I want you 

th day of May, and stay thn 

•1 it your duty to be bap- 
;; church. You can feel it 

We all want 

th, and if you want to be baptized 
■ ou can. Be faithful, brother. md a 

.' life is yours, 
ur brother in the Lord. 

CLIFFOB 



* to 
other- of my conv< I was in- 

1 to bold l 

Weotworth Village, to persuade them to come to 
Christ In \ withering nature of earthly 

things and the shelterless condition of the wicked, I 

found it ti with B mere i 

ved I most do what I could to the 

are myself to preach the Ge 
that God would prepare me for the \ 
I mt, | thai 1 mi in the 

In Wentworth I a 

ridicule i> 
ing decided tl 



LETTERS. Zi 

Laving sunk in ray mind into insignificance, I made pre- 
paration to go home early in the morning. My uncle 
wrote the following letter to my father : — 

Wentworth, May 29, 1846. 
Brother Currier : — I write a few lines at this time to 
inform you in a measure about Solon's calculation in the 
future. He says, as I have had a talk with him this morning, 
that he intends to go into the ministry, &e. I don't doubt in 
the least but what he has been converted, but still I have, my 
doubts in regard to his making a preacher of the Gospel to 
any success. He has represented to some that he was not 
going to learn the Cabinet trade because I did not give him 
anything for his work ; and he has told that I did not want 
him to work for me, &c. Now, that you may understand the 
facts in the case from me, I have always felt and calculated to 
give Solon as much as other men gave their apprentices if he 
stayed with me, and in regard to my wanting him is all imag- 
ination of his from my saying that he must attend to his 
work, or it was no use for him to learn the trade. He has 
just got so that he can do something, and it seems a pity that 
the time and pains it has cost should be lost by his abandon- 
ing the trade at this time, &c. I guess that Solon has been 
advised by some folks to leave work and study, &c. I want 
you to come up and we will have a fair understanding about 
this business. We ought to have made a trade before this 
time ; but we will not have any trouble. I should not have 
had Solon if I had thought that he would have left me before 
he had learned the trade. In haste, 

MILO E. HAINES. 



CHAPTER II, 

Union with the Freewill Baptist Church — Life as a Student 
— Licensed to Preach — Extensive Labors as a Traveling 
Minister— Teaching School— the Death of My Mother. 

UNION WITH THE FREEWILL BAPTIST CHURCIL 

Sabbath, May 31st, I listened to the preaching of Eld. 
A. S. Clifford at West Plymouth. We repaired to the 
water's brink and the Elder baptized me with his son 
and Elbridge G. Blodgett. I felt joyful in the horn of my 
salvation, and my name became enrolled as a member 
of the church. 

LIFE AS A STUDENT. 

Piety as it is more intelligent is more useful, and he 
who has a thorough education is capable of doing more 
good. At an early age, though tardy in study and 
attainment, yet I entertained exalted views of the field 
of knowledge. But I had to work my way as best 
I could, and through great discouragements. As the 
poor student traces the footsteps of his dying Lord, 
he is often reminded of that watchful Providence, which 
feeds the raven and guides the sparrow. But by indus- 
try, economy and principle, I was always able to pay all 
my school bills promptly. Through my perseverance in 
the pursuit after wisdom and knowledge, I spent about 
eight years in school. I will mention the different schools 
which I have attended : Plymouth .District School, No. 
1, old and new school-house. Two school-district schools 



LIFE AS A STUDENT. 

in Wentworth. Nancy Mitchel's School at Holderness 
Village, and private school in Plymouth. Plymouth 
Academy. North Parsonsfield Seminary, Me., Smith* 
ville Seminary at North Scituate, It. L, Geauga Semina- 
ry at Chester, Ohio, Kings ville Academy, Ohio, the 
Freewill Baptist Biblical School at Whitestown, N. Y. and 
the Literary and Biblical School at New Hampton, N. H. 
Tho' much study is a weariness to the flesh, yet we must 
study to show ourselves approved of God. A person 
may go to all the Institutions of the land, but this alone 
will not make a man of God. It will never do to sub- 
ite literary attainment for the power and unction of 
the Holy Ghost. Piety produces transformations very 
surprising when a secret spring is touched, and a new 
power is developed. The declaration of David is veri- 
fied : " The entrance of thy word giveth light." 

LICENSED TO PREACH. 

When I first began to preach, I had no license from 
men. Afterwards the Freewill Baptist Church at West 
Plymouth granted me a license and approved of my 
course. When in Ohio I was licensed to preach by the 
Ashtabula Q. M., and also by the Sandwich Q. M., held 
at Tamworth Iron Works, which was renewed at Mere- 
dith, N. H. 
EXTENSIVE LABORS AS A TRAVELING MINISTER. 

The command which requires anything of us, requires 
the most extensive action : " Go into all the world, and 
preach the Gospel to every creature." Called of God, 
as was Aaron, in the office work of the Spirit on the 
heart, I felt that " Wo is me if I preach not the Gospel 



TEACHING SCHOOL. 31 

of Christ." " Behold," says Jeremiah, u I cannot speak ; 
for I am a child." " But the Lord said unto me, say not 
I am a child ; for thou shalt go to all that I shall send 
thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak." 
It was a great but glorious undertaking for me a mere 
boy at the age of about sixteen, to appoint meetings, and 
attempt to preach the Gospel. While subject to many 
obstacles, God was with me as I went out in his name, 
to the east, west, north and south. My labors in preach- 
ing eventually extended over a vast territory. Embrac- 
ing the States of N. H., Me., Vt., Mass., R. I., Conn., 
N. Y., Del., Penn., 0., Mich., 111., IV is., Min., Iowa, and 
the Provinces of Canada and Nova Scotia. I have 
preached in many towns and places, and to many people 
in New Hampshire, Ohio, New York and Nova Scotia. 
Have preached more in Plymouth, New Hampton, Rum- 
ney and Springfield, N. H., than any other towns, and 
preached more in New Hampshire, Ohio, and New York, 
than any other States. In many sections I have attend- 
ed a host of prayer meetings in which I took an active 
part. Have traveled many thousands of miles on foot 
to attend my appointments and persevered through ail 
kinds of weather and traveling, and was noted for not 
disappointing the people in being absent. 

TEACHING SCHOOL. 

My first school I attempted to teach was in West 
Scituate, R. I. I also taught a school in Ohio. My dis- 
trict extended into three counties and four towns. 



OZ LETTERS. 

(Letter from A. J. Tallant.) 

Smithville Sem., Nov. 21, 1850. 

Dear Bro. Currier : — I received your excellent letter 
day before yesterday. I was right glad to hear of your pros- 
perity, though you have been through scenes of adversity for 
which I mourn with you. This world is a wilderness of woes, 
as said the poet, and to this responds the experience of all 
such as have gone forth to cry against the sins of the land. 
But we have a friend above all others. His care is ever over 
us, and never, never, should we fear. I rejoice that you have 
been so successful. Thank the good Lord. 

You speak of the town of Solon, that is a place where I 
have some friends. Mrs. Patrick is a cousin, and there are 
others there who went from Canterbury, N. H. Since you 
left here nothing special has taken place. I have not yet 
taken a school, and now expect to go to N. H., next week. 
I have been to Conn., the week past, preached once in Plain- 
field and had some very good visits. Elder Quinby's family 
are well — the Seminary is pretty well filled. I should like to 
be with you in Ohio, there to go forth and scatter the word 
of life, there to see souls flecking to Christ; but, dear brother, 
you know my infirmity, you know it is little that I can do. I 
sometimes think that my work will be short, and that soon I 
must leave all earthly things for the land of rest. But when 
I look at the great field, and see thousands crowding the road 
to hell, my soul is filled with new life, and really I want to 
preach a few years longer. I sometimes think of traveling 
to the west, but at present my nerves are too weak, the ex- 
citement would be too great. I trust we shall never be 
ashamed of our calling. No, glory to the Lord, no one has 
a higher or better one. * * * 

Well, then, let us strive on, and though storms beset our 
path, yet trust in him who is ever near to help the weary 
wanderer when he will turn to his Father's house, there we 



LETTERS. 33 

.ould dwell, there we should ever love to labor. Be of 
good courage brother C, the Lord will not forsake you. Let 
me hear from you often. As regards a letter from the 
it will be forthcoming as soon as the next Monthly Meeting 
is passed, which will give a chance to take a vote. But you 
are entitled to all the privileges now that would be yours, if 
connected with the church at Chester. Perhaps it would be 
as well for you to defer wi until you hear where 

I am. I have seen brother Day's P. 0. address in the Morn- 
ing Star, which shows you have him with you. Give him my 
love. I find among my papers a copy of your speech deliver- 
ed last Summer at Exhibition, and as you probably have no 
other eopy 1 will s^nd this to y hably 

mislaid when we packed. Now good-by my brother. 
Your Chum, 

A. J. TALLANT. 



(Xetter f: a F°gg 

Whit April 25. 1851. 

Beloved Brother in Christ : — I am happy to inform you at 
time that I received your letter some weeks since n 
much pleasure ; but on open:: :er my feelings be- 

came somewhat changed, when I read the account of your 
mother's death. I felt 

losing such a beloved friend, t ; mil brother to 

the will of God, knowing that he doeth all things well, Will 

i a double portion of his grace to attend you in 

it not 
from friends made i Christ 0. Irother 

Courier, do not despond, but consider that you are soon, if 
faithful, t i her, with harp in tune, and strike a song 

of pi round the throne of G:d. 



84 LETTERS. 

yea throughout the length and breadth of all heaven. Yes, 
it is then that you will no more have to take the parting hand, 
feeling constrained thus to do that you may prepare yourself 
to stand upon the walls of Zion and proclaim the unsearcha- 
ble riches of Christ. May this affliction be sanctified to your 
eternal and everlasting good. Brother, you shall have prayers, 
and when you obtain access to the living God by way of sup- 
plication, remember me. I should have written to you long 
before now, but I soon made a move from R. I., to this place, 
and wished to have something to write before I answered your 
letter. Another reason why I have not written before is, be- 
cause I have had many letters to write in connection with my 
studies, and thereby have been very much hurried, but enough 
of excuses. I am now in the Theological Department at 
Whitestown, am studying Latin and Greek, on a preparatory 
for my theological course. I propose to enter this course one 
year from this fall term. I like thus far much ; have one 
kcur for each recitation. Butler is my teacher in Latin, Ful- 
lonton in Greek. I have just laid aside my Greek, after stu- 
dying from five to eleven o'clock on xny lessons very hard. 

Brother, I have commenced preaching since I came out 
here, and feel a strong desire to enter the Gospel field as soon 
as I can obtain a thorough preparation. I think, brother 
Currier, I have made considerable advancement in the di- 
vine life ; yes, great growth in grace since I saw you last. 
God is favoring me with his Holy Spirit at times. I feel that 
God is sanctifying my studies in answer to prayer. Oh I 
brother, is it not sweet living when we can hold communion 
with our Saviour, and that too as unceasing as the waves up- 
on the sea ? I can look forward with pleasure, yea, with great 
anticipation, when I shall be permitted to go forth and make 
the world feel and know that I am an ambassador of the 
Lord Jesus Christ. My parents objected very much to my 
coming here, but I am laboring for God and hence cannot 



LETTERS. 35 

..: down, although every friend upon earth oppose me. 
This Seminary is situated in a most delightful plaee ; it as 
much exeeeds Smithville, as far as its location is concerned, as 
that exceeds Parson sfield Seminary. This Seminary is situated 
nearly at the confluence of three villages, in which are §ix 
churches besides the Baptist, which is our Chapel in the mid- 
dle building, on Seminary ground. We now have about sev- 
enty students or nearly so, which is the smallest term in the 
year. This term continues until some after the 4th of July, 
then we have some six weeks vacation, a very busy time with 
farmers and good for indigent students. I have had several 
spells of writing this letter, and therefore you will get a 
broken chain this time, to say the least. I have just had a 
letter from brother Barber of Smithville Seminary. He in- 
tends to attend there this summer coming. Ashly, Tappan, 
Greene, Paine, and Sargent intend to attend this coming 
term. IViggin has gone to Ohio, intends to go to Oberlin. 
He came on with me as far as here, and then pushed his way 
westward, &c. I have not seen Hubbard since last July. He 
is now in Grafton, Mass., in the shoe business with John Bai- 
ley, who attended school at N. Parsonsfield when you did. 
Hubbard has thought considerable about preparing for the 
ministry, but I fear has about given it up since he went home, 
as you very well know his father and mother are opposed to 
all preparation in a literary point of view. I wish you would 
write him a letter striving to stir up his mind to the subject 
of the great work which you and I are preparing for. I in- 
tend, if possible, to get him to come out here with me, but I 
may fail. 

Will God grant his blessing to rest upon you, new every 
morning and fresh every evening. Brother let us live humble 
before God and walk circumspectly in his sight. If I do not 
have the privilege of seeing you for some length of time, 
may you and I when thus permitted, be ministers of Christ, 
who need not be ashamed, neither in word or doctrine, or 



36 LETTERS 

humility, the greatest of all. Do not let any one see this let- 
ter for I have written after so broken a manner that I should 
be ashamed to have it seen by a stranger. May our corres- 
pondence not stop here but continue. 

AMASA FOGG. 



THE DEATH OF MY MOTHER. 



" My mother when I learned that thou wast dead, 

Say, wast thou conscious of the tears I shed ? 

Hover'd thy spirit o'er thy sorrowing son? 

I heard not the bell toll on thy burial day, 

I saw not the hearse, that bore thee slow away." 



On the 20th of February I closed my school in Ohio 
and went to Chester where I received several letters. I 
retired to Brother John Palmer's near the Seminary to 
read them. I learned from a cousin in New York that 
he heard my mother was better, but when I came to 
open my sister's letter, I began to read, " Little do you 
know of the sorrow," * * * * 

I could hardly read any further, but turning to brother 
Palmer told him I feared heavy news from home. 

The following was the letter from my sister : 

Plymouth, N. H., Feb. 2, 1851. 

My Dear Brother :— Solon, little do you know of the 
sorrow that has filled our breasts for a few weeks that are 
passed, but eo it is, our blessed Lord and Master wept at the 
grave of his friend, therefore it is not sinful for us to grieve 
especially when our dearest of earthly connection has fallen 
a prey to the grim monster death. Yes, Solon, must I say it, 



LETTERS. 37 

<can I write it, and first communicate to you, that our Mother, 
she who gave us birth, is gone. We have consigned all that 
was mortal of our dear mother to the silent tomb, there to 
rest unul the last trump of the archangel shall sound, to 
call the dead from their graves — M When this corruptible 
must put on incorruption, and this mortal shall put on immor- 
tality, then shall be brought to pass that saying, death isswal- 

-d up in victory." She died trusting in her Saviour for 
pardon and salvation, in hope of a glorious reception into the 
family above, in hope to hear the welcome plaudit of well 
done good and faithful servant, enter into the joys of thy 
Lord. Solon, let us adopt the language of that eminent ser- 
vant of old. u It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him 
<jood." The Lord has bereft us, he can all our sorrows heal. 
We know that no affliction for the present seemeth joyous 

grievous ; but let us pray that they may work out for us 
the fruits of righteousness. I will now try to give you a faint 
description of her sickness and death. She was taken si^k 

April. The day Daniel's child was buried, Daniel sa\s 
mother does not feel as well as usual, and immediately alter 

..egan to fail gradually until summer when she appeared 

some better ; so well that she walked down to Daniel's twice, 

and would have come to our house if Mr. Draper's child had 

not been sick. Hannah not being willing she should go away. 

Then she was taken with a cough, but it was not very bad 

generally; she had a coughing fit once a day in the morning 

: vening, the rest part ot the day none at all. I have been 

there all day a good many times without hearing her cough 

at all. She grew poor very fast, her appetite was so poor 

that sometimes it seemed she could not find anything she 

at nothing hurt her. We made up our minds 

some months ago that we must part with her, for we could 

well see that, that tyrant consumption had made sure its vic- 

dng was said about writing to you, she said u be 



lit: 

3 and not tell him Low sick I am for it will only grieYf 
:. and he is so far from me he cannot come home to see- 
me." B: 

known to her. She was very nerv: 
not bear to have ccm.e and see her 
have any one know she coughed, that hei 
or any of would taik 

of death and feh near her. 

any striking cl her appearance was new y 

It lv y I had n ier for a fortnight. I 

unier and wife, (who have 
rned from California with $4000,) and found her 1 
much altered. That look, that deathish look 

ret it ; and from that time she continued to fail. A: 
time she d * bed only enough to h 

it made, and was helped u :ii and off. The 14 th 

worse, and 
the 26th. I w; corn- 

old. Her ftet were i 

home 
. the evening, and at once noticed a chang 
her breathing. We all thought her dying, and she the 
so herseli. Her constant prayer was. M Come L 
come 

Oh, I 
am sorry." I asked her what word she would send : 
She seemed in thought for a few moments, and then i 
" Meet me in heaven." That night, neve 
a one before. 0, could I pain: chil- 

dren, (all '. ail save one and him far aw: 

gathered around her death-bed, expecting every moment to 

over, but he morning light contrary to 

our expectation: 



LETTERS. 39 

but yet she lived another night and day, when Tuesday 
night about 8 o'clock she breathed her last, and without a 
struggle or groan, entered as we hope into that rest that re- 
mains for the people of God. All day Tuesday it was with 
difficulty we could understand anything she said. She there- 
fore did not speak for some hours before she died. 

Thursday,, the 30th ult, she was buried. Mr. Clark, the 
Methodist, and Mr. Jewett were present. Mr. Clark preached 
from a text, as he said, of her own selection, found in Rev. 
14 : 13, u Blessed are the dead," &c, and thus was she buri- 
ed out of our sight never more to behold on earth. Oh, the 
lonesomeness of that house. I dread to go into it. How Mary 
must miss her. James is at home. He was at home last fall, 
and then went to Plastow chopping wood. When we sent to 
him about mother, and having a sore hand he came home 
about a fortnight ago. When he will go away I do not know. 
Henry went to Wentworth to School last fall, and now goes 
to the district school, kept by B. F. Cass's wife. We shall 
have a school at the village in future. A Mr. Shephard has 
bought the Academy, boarding-house and all, and will com- 
mence in the spring. Uncle M. E. Haines has returned from 
California. He came with Daniel who found him money to 
come home with. Osgood and John were still at the mines 
with very poor prospects. I must stop my scribbling. 

PHEBE REED. 

That night upon retiring to my room I could not com- 
pose my mind in sleep. I thought of the departed and 
what she had said to me, accompanied with the unrealiz- 
ed assurance that her words of counsel could never 
again be repeated. But my heart was not without con- 
solation. I could rejoice in the midst of sorrow, for I 
thought, " Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord." 



40 LETTERS. 

Now she rests in peace. No more the toils of life, the 
afflictions and woes of this land of pain and death to as- 
sail her. Though I deeply felt and mourned my loss, 
yet while she left the evidence that she was better off, 
for her I could but rejoice. If I am faithful to my trust 
I hope to join her above. 

The next morning I started on foot to attend the 
Geauga Quarterly Meeting, about twenty miles distant 
at Twinsburgh. The traveling was very muddy, and it 
came on quite rainy, and while in the woods in the town 
of Solon, I sat down and reflected on days past, even 
when blessed with parental care. I wandered a stranger 
in a strange land, but my mind was some composed as I 
knew that in a distant country lived those who deeply 
sympathized with me in this affliction. After an absence 
of four and a half years I had the privilege of visiting 
my mother's grave. 



CHAPTER III. 

Marriage to Mimory Ann Meacham — Our Struggles as a 
Family — The erection of a House — The Birth of a Son — 
An Account of my Labors in the Hay-Field, the Woods, 
and in the Business of Selling Books. 

MARRIAGE TO MIMORY ANN MEACHAM. 

While a student of Geauga Seminary, I was enabled 
to form some acquaintance with Miss Mimory Ann Mea- 
cham, who had come to Chester to work at her trade as 
a milliner. After seeing her a hw times at brother John 
Palmer's, I had the boldness to inform her, that I had 
met with none that I loved as well as her. I declared 
that I believed we might live happily together. She re- 
plied that she felt unworthy, but would think of it. Miss 
Meacham being taken unwell, so that she could not work 
at her trade, I took her to her home in Cherry Valley, a 
distance of forty-four miles, and returned the next day. 
After the close of the term of school, on the 2d of July, 
at the setting of the sun, I promised to meet her, I had 
received a letter from her and learned that she could 
not sit up more than two hours a day. Meeting her at 
the time appointed, I found her quite feeble, being 
afflicted with a bad cough. After working in haying at 
Chester, I returned and found the girl at home alone. 
Her health had improved, though during my absence she 
had not been from home. I went to work and we con- 
cluded to be married directly. I went to Jefferson and 
bought some clothes and obtained a marriage license. 



42 THE ERECTION OF A HOUSE. 

On iny way back I lost my way, and wandered in the 
woods over logs and stumps. In the morning of August 
2d, our union in marriage took place at the home stead. 
Elder David L. Rice performed the ceremony. After 
this, we made a visit with Elder Day and wife, attended 
meetings, and I had the privilege of preaching at the 
school-house. 

OUR STRUGGLES AS A FAMILY. 

My wife in order to replenish her store of knowledge 
attempted to travel, with me, up the hill of science, and 
therefore she went to school at Geauga Seminary, Kings- 
viiie Academy, Ohio, and at Whitestown Seminary, N. 
Y. For eight years we toiled in school and out, in Ohio, 
New York and New Hampshire, and though we met 
with hardships and difficulties, we were enabled with the 
blessing of God, to bear up under them. When neces- 
sarily away from home, the thought of again greeting 
a kind and sympathizing companion, often cheered my 
pathway. Like the tempest-tossed mariner on the ocean 
wave who once more desires his haven, or like the weary 
traveler far from his home, once more longs for the bo- 
som of his family, so amid the jarring elements and tang- 
led mazes of the world, it was pleasant to look forward 
to God and heaven. 

THE ERECTION OF A HOUSE. 

On the planes of New Hampton, near the pinnacle, in 
sight of the shingle-camp hill, in one of the most beauti- 
ful villages of New England, is the place where I built 
a house to live in and rent to students. It was through 



BIRTH OF A SON. 43 

great effort, with the aid of rny father, that I was ena- 
bled to complete my buildings, in which were eleven 
rooms. This property eventually fell into the hands of 
my father, who paid me one hundred dollars, besides the 
note and interest. 

THE BIRTH OF A SON. 
The birth of my son Wilber Fremont Currier, took 
place at New Hampton, N. EL, August 3, 1855. This 
was the occasion of sublimity, when all jokes should 
cease, and the instincts of our nature teach the nobleness 
of the higher law. " He was a goodly and proper child," 
Ex. 2 : 2. Heb. 9 : 23. " For unto us a child is born, 
unto us a son is given. Isaiah 9 : 6. 

An account of my labors in the Hay-Field, the Woods, 
and in the business of selling Books. 

For twelve seasons I have worked in the hay-field in 
New Hampshire, Connecticut, Ohio, New York, Ver- 
mont and Nova Scotia. I have sawed much wood and 
chopped mary cords in Ohio and New Hampshire. I 
have sold many books in New Hampshire, Maine, Ver- 
mont, New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Con- 
necticut and Ohio. I always made the business profita- 
ble. With what was given me for preaching, and what 
I received as a beneficiary, which in all amounted to 
considerable, I was enabled to pay all the bills I had 
contracted. 



CHAPTER IV. 

My Success as a Preacher — A Prayer at New Hampton — 
A Union Prayer Meeting — Breakers Ahead — Impolitic 
Proceedings — Hell Insighted against me — The Wreck of 
my Beloved Family — My Overthrow. 

MY SUCCESS AS A PREACHER, 

44 How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the 
gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things. 
How shall we estimate the value of a faithful minister, 
or as the prophet has it, " How beautiful upon the moun- 
tains are the feet," &c. How does the water of salva- 
tion bubble up along their path ! If we are able to be- 
hold the true value of a faithful man of God, it is then 
we shall know how to esteem him. He is not to be esti- 
mated in dollars and cents. If so, he must feel that he 
is to have but little to do with the destiny of the world. 
If this is all, there is little in his life worth remembering 
on earth or recording in heaven. As far as I am con- 
cerned, not wishing to laud my efforts, I can say, that I 
have worked with my hands, as did Paul, not as an end, 
but as a means to an end. It is difficult to sum up a 
man's usefulness or success while he is living. But 
there is one thing that will out-argue the gainsayer. It 
is this : I can speak of souls being converted under my 
feeble efforts and some have died in faith, that were re- 
deemed by my instrumentality. In speaking of my own 



46 A PEA i 

success, I beg leave to view things from a d .and* 

point from the worldly wise man. 

A PRAYER AT NEW HAMPTON. 

O, thou merciful and gracious God. in the 

petitions we offer to thee, and grant graciously to listen 
to the voice of our ns. May we seek that 

which is of all things the most important, and by an ha- 
bitual trust and confidence in thee, be permitted to grow 
in grace, and in the improvement of our moral nature, 
which is found in that habit of mind in which there is a 
serious contemplation of the infinite perfections of thy 
character, and though the storms of this 
may blow thick around and beneath, may we so culti- 
vate the impression of thy presence, as to n at- 
mosphere peculiar to the pure in heart. O Lord, we de- 
sire ever to be willing to stem the rugged path of 
life, to stand up like Christians, and \ 
As we call on thy name, 0, thou Father of Lights, our 
souls are animated as the r 

the mighty billows is animated in looking forward to 
haven, so we amid the conflicts of this world, are per- 
mitted with wonder and amazement, to look up to hea- 
ven. But while we have an existence in this life, we 
desire to have for our watchword that of the primitive 
Christians, which was to love, to labor and to suffer. O, 
thou Eternal One, how hast thou magnified thy glory in 
our view, and what a subject for our contemplation and 
improvement is brought to light in the great plan of Gos- 
pel redemption, in view of which we acknowledge that 
the highest inquiries of human science Bink into insig- 



A PKAYEK. 



47 



niflcance. May we make such improvement of th; 
with its mild and sweet season of grace, as to have the 
soul enlarged, and the mind enlightened. May we be 
raised from minor concerns and transitory interest-, 
which are so apt to absorb our energies and engross our 
thoughts, to that wondrous field, in which world after 
world compose one vast universe, We would bow down 
and adore before a wisdom we cannot fathom, and before 
an almighty Power we cannot comprehend. May we be 
divested of everything like that pride which would make 
us look down upon the earth and view nothing which 
creeps upo: re noble than onrselves. Our 

Heavenly Father, we hasten to thee, to inquire in the 
exercises before as, ::ce of divine wistom 

and the strength of divine aid, and do thou 
brother \ant in presenting the truth of thy word; 

May his soul be as a well-watered garden which is green, 
fragrant and fruitful, and also be permitted to feel in a 
special manner the enlivening rays of the Sun of Eight- 
eousness. May he never shun to declare all the eo 
of God. The truth is to be spoken by him in all its 
stringent claims, and may he have the nerve, the heart, 
and ability, to pore in upon this people the threatenings 
of thy word, as well as to make known its promises, doc- 
trines, and privileges. May our brother still utter his 
warning voice for all to break off their sins by righteous- 
ness, and in the light of an eternal judgment, may he 
keep nothing back which this people need — Amen. 



48 A FRAl 

A UNION PRAYER MEETING. 
About the first of Jar. I fell an ur. 

of the cau 5w Hamptom. I went from house to 

hous: ij and cc: ny neigh! 

ion, 
and but little direct effort made in their behalf on the 
part of p. 

vored to find a 
making several 
';-. Bartholemew H, <rrho 

. and told \ 

and by - 

ged 
to take h :lton that 

meeting would con: ne o'clock. P. 

M. This air I le him tr 

the converting power of God 
:.:. H~ and 

commenced p: joined by his wife. ] 

eting continued four mo:/ oroe prof— 

I others i 

or a number c: 

.^rger number. 
I v;t^: through the village U 
to pledg 

, the under- 
grow in grac: low men, 

agree to prayer meeting the 



BREAKERS AHEAD. 

Oar specific object is, 1st— to pray for the sand 
tion of be! 

2<J- - illy for the conversion of 

i means of sustaining this meeting, we covenant, 

!• To h', istians all who love our Saviour. 

2. To use our personal influence to induce all citizens, 
whether male or female, whether professor or non-pro- 

or. to attend this meeting, when the circumstance? 
will allow. 

Tiie * id keep 

a record of the interest of the meetii 



BREAKERS AHEAD. 
re were formidable difficulties in the way of C 
union at New Hampton. Some ministers doubted 
whether an administration democrat could be a Chris- 
tian. Bro. J. C. Dyer was a democrat and a biblical 
ient. He wished to unite with the New Hampton 
Age Church, and have a request sen nar- 

terly meeting for a license to preach the gospel. This 
presented at a church meeting by brother 
Butler, who spoke of brother Dyer's call, and of his in- 
tention to labor in the TYest. Bro. Dyer had been in 
the place two years I neglected to unite with 

church, and tl to receive him jnsl 

the sake of requesting his license. He acknowledged 
4 



Cv BKEAKEKS AHEADo 

Lis negligence, as no one spoke to him on the subject, 
and the reason that he had not, was not for the want of 
fellowship for the brethren. Remarks were made on the 
importance of brethren, and particularly ministers, unit- 
ing with a church on moving into its vicinity. 

Some were surprised to learn that brother Dyer was 
not a member. Bro. Butler remarked, that he consider- 
ed he had been more of a member in reality than some 
who belonged to the church. Finally brother Dyer re- 
fused to unite with the church, if there were any who 
Lad objections, for the church had unavoidable diffi- 
culties enough without his bringing any in. Bro. Wm, 
F. Eaton of the biblical school, taking his meaning to be 
that he could not unite if any one who was not present 
had objections, stated that he could not assume such a 
responsibility, and on that ground could not vote for his 
admission. Bro. Dyer's meaning was explained on this 
ground. If there was any known objection he would not 
unite. Bro. Eaton said he would vote to receive him 
as. a member, if the question concerning his license was 
not to be brought up. He was received a member by a 
unanimous vote. I now moved that brother Dyer be 
sent to the Sandwich Q. M., for license, but the motion 
was not seconded, and brother Eaton called me ungentle- 
manly in presenting the matter. Shall the biblical school 
and church take into fellowship a brother who is unfit to 
appear before a council for license to preach ? After 
meeting, prominent members told me that brother Dyer 
had denounced the ministers as a pack of hypocrites, and 
that was a reason why he could not be licensed. Brother 



: OLITIC PROCEEDINGS. 51 

denied the charge, and I thought that strange pro- 
ceedings were undertaken concerning brother Dyers case, 
and after trying in vain to have something done, I asked 
the church to appoint a meeting to settle the grievance. 
The church refused to give me a hearing. 



IMPOLITIC PROCEEDINGS. 

I attended the Sandwich Quarterly Meeting, held at 
the Dr. Dana meeting-house in New Hampton. The 
question of renewing my license to preach came up be- 
fore the Cooference. Bro. J. D. Stuart, to whom they 
looked to present the matter, called me aside, and said 
he would have been willing to request the renewal of 
my license, if the question had come up one week earlier, 
but could not now in consequence of the feeling against 
me at New Hampton Village. Though my license to 
preach could not be renewed, my brethren had me preach 
at the next quarterly meeting. 

Professor John J. Butler, John Fullonton, and Smith 
Swain, were appointed as a committee by the church to 
investigate my case, and if thought best to recommend 
the church to request the renewal of my license at the 
Sandwich Quarterly Meeting held at Bristol. Though 
my license to preach could not be renewed of men, yet I 
believed it was renewed of heaven. 

But I retained my standing by being formally receiv- 
ed a member of the Biblical School. Prof. Butler sent 
me to preach at Meredith Centre, and I found my- 
suspended from the Biblical School, for saying what w T as 



THE WRECK OF MY FAMILY. 

. 1 the trul m at an irnpr 

After delay, I was received back into the Bibli- 
cal For other reasons than to enc 
i :h. I v 
too] under such 
my d 
whicl 

a: my request voted to give 
but I never re 



HELL IXSIGHTED AGAINST M 

ier Isaiah exe tfa enlarged 

But fortunately agreement with hell shall not 
stand, and though they dig into hell they shall be taken. 

I as a lamb amid ravening wolves. Being strippe 
those ordinary shields of defence. I was left a prey to 
the enenrj to me a time-serving 

The more I praised God and sho oame 

in consequence of D ap- 

i to be moved. 



THE WRECK OF MY BELOVED FAMILY. 

*• If ye had not plowed with my he;: ad not 

id out my riddi: lah hath dealt treacherou 

and an abomination is committed in Israel, and in Jeru- 
salem ; for Judah hath profaned the holiness of the Lord 
which he loved, aud hath married the daughter of a 
strange god. The Lord will cut off the man that d 
this, the master and the scholar, out of the tabernacles of 



LETTERS. 53 

•Jacob, and him that offereth an offering unto the Lord of 
." My wife was a member of the church, but drank 
in the pride and popularity of the millinery of the place, 
and concluded that I could never succeed as a preacher. 
But the ways of God are mysterious, and men of learn- 
ing may have but little spiritual perception. I was ar- 

ned with my wife to make confession to the church, 
I brother Stuart assisted to frame the matter accord- 
ing to his view of the case, I suppose. I made tbe fol- 

ing confession at the monthly meeting, Sept. 3, 1859 : 



Dear Brethren : — For some time I have had, more or 
. a want of confidence in you as a spiritual body in Christ. 
I have been tempted to leave the church in its adversity, and 
labor alone as a friend of God and man, or join some other 
denomination. For some time I have not had my thoughts 
directed in this channel. My confidence in my brethren has 
been increased, and the church has manifested more confi- 
dence in me. Circumstances have transpired which have 
been overwhelming. After trying every way which seemed 
in my power at the time, to settle my difficulties, I published 
them to the world, I have acted with an honest motive, but 
under a wrong influence. I now see that I have acted with 
imprudence in the manner of making public the faults of my 
family and certain students. In relation to my remarks at 
Meredith Centre, I believe I said nothing but the truth, tho' 
spoken at an improper time and place. As a brother whose 
interests are deeply identified with yours, I desire you to 
consider the pressure of the circumstances under which I 
laboring, and overlook this impropriety. 

Dear brethren, for the past two years I have been with 
you I have enjoyed much vital religion, and have been faith- 



54 LETTERS* 

ftil and punctual in your meetings of social worship, and 
slant in my family devotion, yet I have had my failings. 1 
have had them in my family. I have had them in my relation 
with you. It has been through sacrifice and trial that I am 
with you to-day. I have regarded the cause of truth and 
justice and have loved God supremely. The low state 
of religion has sometimes caused me to be more zealous, 
There have been times when I have been so absorbed in reli- 
gion, as to be too indifferent in other matters. Brethren we- 
as a family have been driven to a great extremity, and as my 
wife expresses true repentance. I would willingly bear the 
whole reproach of this matter for her sake. Now in relation 
to myself and family I ask your prayers, your sympathy and 
your forgiveness-. 

SOLON CURRIER. 



At times all seemed to go well at home, then again the 
enemy came in like a flood. When I thought the Lord; 
would rule in saving my family from ruin, I little thought 
the Devil could exert such a power as to cause a separa- 
tion. Sept. 11, 1859, my wife retired to bed with n>e 
for the last time as she declared. Where once sat the- 
happy sire, and the little boy nestled, must the horrid 
form of the rattle-snake coil himself? Must the lamb go 
bleating over barren moors without even the skeletoe 
companionship ? 



MY OVERTHROW. Ob 

MY OVERTHROW. 

This desertion was unexpected on my part and sud- 
den. For a week it seemed that every earthly prospect, 
svas blasted. Who could realize the love I had for the 
wife of my youth ? My sleep departed and food seemed 
unsavory. I was blind to follies of my wife, and could 
see only her virtues., I thought I had taken a false step 
and blamed myself. The weight of the matter settled 
down upon me like a mill-stone. My past life was had 
in retrospect, and what would I have given to redeem 
my wife whom I loved as my own life ? " Know now 
that God hath overthrown me," Job 19: G. " Rejoice 
not against me, O mine enemy ; when I fall I shall 
Micah 7: 16. 



CHAPTER V. 

God Saveth by Miracle, and Giveth his Children the Vic- 
tory — A Child Saved by the Interposition of the Almighty 
— Letters sent out about me. 

GOD SAVETH BY MIRACLE, AND GIVETH HIS 
CHILDREN THE VICTORY. 

Just think of the time when a rod was turned into a 
serpent to vindicate Moses and Aaron. Behold the sea 
parting to let the people of God have a pass. God bore 
witness to the Hebrews by miracles and gifts of the Ho- 
ly Ghost. Stephen full of faith and power did great 
wonders and miracles among the people. Simon won- 
dered when he beheld the miracles and signs which were 
done. Then to clap the climax, were not the Hebrew 
worthies in the burning fiery furnace, Daniel in the lion's 
den, and Jonah overboard, all rescued by miracle. 

I could sympathize with Paul when he said, " For we 
would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble 
which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of 
measure, above strength, inasmuch as we despaired even 
of life." Moses cried out, " I am not able to bear all this 
people alone, because it is too heavy for me." How Da- 
vid bore in his bosom the reproach of all the mighty 
people, wherewith they upbraided the footsteps of the 
anointed. The trouble that came upon God's ancient 
people was not small of which Nehemiah speaks. John 



58 GOD SA.VETH BY MIRACLE. 

was once in great tribulation. Judah said, let me bear 
the blame, and David had more put upon him than he 
could stand under. 

Now, in alluding to my own experience, brother Stu- 
art told me he did not think it best to have me take a 
part in the prayer meeting. But I went to meeting and 
after giving up to the mandate of man for a season, I 
told the people I must speak for Christ, or fall into the 
grave and I felt relieved. The king undertook in vain 
t«> close up Daniel's mouth. 

Having been so long disquieted in the night watches 
I retired to rest up stairs with Willie, and immediately 
fell into a profound slumber. The Lord will not forsake 
his people for his great name's sake. When my father 
and my mother, or my wife and brethren, forsake me, 
then the Lord will take me up. Peter saw heaven open- 
ed. John said, " A man can receive nothing except it 
be given him from above." Paul was caught up into 
paradise, but he had a messenger of satan to buffet him, 
lest he should be exalted above measure. In the night 
I was aroused by an irresistible power, exclaiming on 
the utmost top of my voice, glory to God ! Glory to 
God!! Glory to God!!! &c. Was it louder than the 
war of elements, the cannon's roar, or the thundering 
canopy of heaven. I received an instructive and im- 
pressive lesson from heaven. Paul in his visions and 
revelations of the Lord, heard unspeakable words which 
were not lawful for a man to utter. It is impossible to 
find words to express the glory I felt in the evidence 
that I loved the cause of Christ supremely, even above 
that for my companion. The quick blasting of flowers, 



GOD SAVETH BV MIRACLK. 

the love-dream vanished inr- ■ 1 laid in 

mother and not understood nor appreciated 

but little in comparison to a ray of light from the Great 
rnal. It is true that in this life, the noble in soul are 
most faithfol in love. When my shouts of glory 

God had ceased, a sense of the character of my * 
and her admirers and flatterers was presented, and I 

ame convulsed and agonized with loud, pier, 
groans, followed by a profuse state of perspiration. 

It was a time of excitement in the house, the neigh- 
bors were aroused, and the report was raised that I 
crazy. After a little delay, quite a number came to 
room, I suppose to see wh the matter with me. 

Word came that my wife who wag Bleeping 
with Mrs. McQarillis wanted Willie taken from my : 
and I did not feel at liberty to resist. My mind bei 
clear as the noonday sun. I answered promptly all ques- 
tions put to me, but when I told them that God had been 
iking, my night visitors scattered. 

Sabbath, Sept. 25th, I preached at the Straig 
New Hampton, from 1st John 3 : 14, i( Marvel not my 
brethren, if the world hate you. I first spoke the truth 
of God, though called to contend with the combined 
powers of anti-Christ. I am called to suffer for Chri 
sake. Is mortal man called to pass through such scenes : 
God alone can sustain me, His grace is sufficient. I \ 
try and be submissive to God's will, and not fear what 
man can do unto me. In speaking in meeting a: 
meeting-house, I said it was a great consolation to know 
that God was my friend, &c. Monday, Sept. 26tb 3 I felt 
that God had a great work for me to do. I had praj ed 



GOD SAVETH BY MIRACLE. 

that I might be divested of every spirit fetter. I will 

look to God for my consolation and hide under the 

shadow of his wing, for has he not in a heavenly vision 

saved my soul from utter ruin. I have experienced the 

power of God, a work like a genial rain has fallen on 

my soul. The waters of Shiloh have moved around me, 

for I have embraced the humbling doctrines of the Lord 

Jesus. Let me ask why is all this plan concerted to 

crush a man of God in the ministry of the gospel ? 

What must be the feelings of such when he sees a wrong 

spirit has entered the house of his friends, and that the 

choice scions of nobility are actually in favor of hushing 

voice on the walls o 

When I revert to the quiet and peaceful scenes of my 

i lie early attachment of the companion of my 

see the false and cruel representations to 

which I have been subjected, who can wonder that a 

t not entirely adamant, must be pierced by the keen- 

? I Lave been placed in circumstances of great 

i ordinary strength of piety could enable a 

travel such a path, and still maintain his integ- 

and his innocense. I am aware there is danger when 

one is subjected to great and unlooked for affliction, that 

ad of giving new energy, and invoking the aids of 

divine grace, the contrary effect will be the result. But 

ed be God when I refuse not to be comforted by any 

consolation drawn from earth or heaven, I am saved from 

the slough of despair. When I saw a cloud arising 

latening my earthly prospects, I labored to my utmost 

cape the impending storm. But through the influ- 

eople, the love-letters of my wife to Hiram 



GOD CLE. 

Turner of Bethleham, wLo had roomed at m; 

and his letters to her, sent through Edwin J. jIoj 
and what eke was ir. that I was deprived c rtner 

of my joys ai id iide& 

of my career had infused into my anflii 
cipl with glory, sufficient to oppo mid- 

walls, and partitions, and formidable barriers, that 
evil men and seducers might raise it of 

kingdom of heaven. But none are finally doer 
to v I^en pure i aod 

virtuous disposition the power 

acquired to resist ter, 

.1 overcome, tb the magnitude of the 

Dry. Shall 1 a Demosthenes, 3 at- 

tempt the struggle to master his stammering tongue ? 
We cannot know what is in us until we try, and try 
again and again. Every noble onward step, dwindles 
the mountain of difficulty, and the ascent becomes easier 
until the summit is arrived at. Let as fish truth from the 
bottom of the well, and diamonds from the deepest mine, 
and learn something from the scenes and events with 
which we are surrounded. We may be the victims of 
misplaced confidence, and feel pain which is caused by 
the loss of faith in our friends. The hydra-monster may 
attempt to undermine the very fabrics of the soul which 
are true to itself. Words may stand for nothing but in- 
sincerity. Treachery may lurk under a caress, reveng- 
ful feelings under a smile, and deception in a look. But 
shall the visage be removed that the dreadful truth may 
become apparent ? When our friends grasp madly, blind- 
ly after forbidden love, and become willing drudges to Sa« 



A CHILD SAVED. 

tan, then secrecy proclaims their disgrace, saying, virtue* 
purity and chastity are not there. Then we are taught 
to put our trust where no falsehood can cause our tears 
to flow, where no base malignancy can torture us, where 
no Judas gains the ear of those whom we fondly suppos- 
ed to be inaccessible to a traitor. But it is safe to cher- 
ish the man who adopts the maxim, u Duty before plea- 
sure," though he be clothed with the skin of a spotted 
lynx, and his leg bound high with a purple buskin. 



A CHILD SAVED BY THE INTERPOSITION OF THE 
ALMIGHTY. 

Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when 
he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar ? When 
Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to 
slay his son, the angel of the Lord from heaven inter- 
posed, and his life was spared. The advice of leading 
men in New Hampton, such as Elder Stuart, Prof. But- 
ler, and Bro. Charles Webber was, that my wife should 
take the boy, but he was to sleep with me until carried 
away. At the time I was made to cry out in the night, 
Willie was taken from my bed, and I afterwards took 
him to Plymouth where he found a home with my broth- 
er-in-law, George Reed. After giving him up, and hav- 
ing endured the thought of his being carried into the 
West with his mother, the providence of God ordered 
otherwise. 



LETTERS. 

LETTERS SENT OUT ABOUT ME. 

My wife in a letter to J. M. Bean of Manchester, wrote 
as follows : 

* ; Her friends/' she said, "at New Hampton think that Mr. 
Currier ought to settle up her bills with you. Brother Joseph 
Brown, a gentleman who has boarded here in our house over 
a year, has very kindly consented to go and do the business 
for me. He will explain to you the trials which I have had 
to endure. My friends have written to me to come to them 
immediately. I know I have many kind, warm-hearted friends 
here. It will be hard to part with them; they all feel for 
and sympathize with me, and are willing to do all they can 
to assist me. Mr. Pike, one of the merchants here (a very- 
good man,) said if he was in my place, if he had any friends 
he would go to them ; and if I had not money enough, he said 
he would give it to me, and I have made up my mind to take 
my child and my goods and go. 

I subscribe myself your most humble and afflicted friend, 

M. A. CURRIER. 



The following was written by mother Meacham, from 
Glen Haven, Wis., Sept. 8, 1859. 

Dear Mimory: — This fifty-second birth day finds mother 
seated to reply to your most welcome, yet sad, letter. We 
are all in usual health at present. I can hardly wait for the 
return of mail to welcome you to our affections, knowing as 
I well do, that you have had sore trials, &c. O, can I ever 
be thankful enough to a kind Providence for casting my lot 
amongst dear, affectionate children ; not only those who feel 
to sympathize with me in the trials of the rest of my dear 
children. Yes, Mimory, Edward says, write to her to come 



64 let: 

right here, get Willie, your bed and bedding, with your cloth- 
ing, and what else you can and start iinmecliately, and never 
fear of finding friends among your relatives here. O that 
the grace of God my ever be sufficient for you, &c. x 
Your dear Mother, 

CATHERINE MEACIIAM. 



Lowell, Mass. Feb. 26, 1860. 
Dear Sir : — Yours of Feb. 7th, reached me last Satur- 
day. I am here on account of my health, and you will ex- 
cuse my short reply to your letter. I cannot answer your in- 
quiries. I did hear something of the difficulties to which you 
refer, but I do not know anything in detail which would be of 
service to you. I think both weie to blame ; perhaps impru- 
dent, as is common in family difficulties. 
Yours respectfully, 

R. G. LEWIS. 
Mr. J. Barber. 



New Hampton, Feb. 26, 1860. 
Mr. S. Fowler : — I would state to you that the thousand 
stories about Bro. Currier are false, and made up by ungodly 
men to injure him. What Bro. Currier tells you, you may 
depend upon as true. We believe him to be a Christian in 
every sense of the word ; and furthermore, there is no man 
in the State, to my mind, who is so honorably associated as 
he is with respectable connections. For the truth of the 
above, I will risk my reputation as a man and a lover of true 
Christian principles. 

Yours, &c. 

B. H. CARLTON. 



LETTERS 65 

Plymouth, N. H. January 28. 1860. 

To whom it may Concern. 

This may certify, that I have been more or less acquainted 

b Mr. Solon Currier for some two or three years, and from 

instances which have transpired within the last year un- 

my immediate observation, I consider him a man who i* 

a disgrace to the ministry, and unworthy the confidence of 

any Christian community, where he^may attempt to officiate 

. minister of Christ. Some of the circumstances which 

me to this conclusion are the following : 
lib is guilty of uttering falsehood on more than one occa- 
He his been suspended from the Theological School at 
New Hampton. I also understand that he only avoided be- 
■jxcommunicated from the church by taking himself out 
it. He had been refused a license by the church previous 
to the circumstances which I have mentioned already. 
I write this by request. 

A NEW HAMPTON STUDENT. 



I preached two sermons at East Canaan for Elder 
Hinkley, and be said he thanked God that he had given 
me such a message to the people. He wrote to brother 
Stewart of New Hampton, and made some inquiries 
concerning me. He said in his letter that I had given 
good satisfaction in my preaching, and inquired if he 
considered me a fit person to discharge the functions of 
She ministry ? He received the following in reply : 

New Hampton, Feb. 15, I860. 
Mr Dear Sir : — In answer to your letter of inquiry I do 
atot wish to say a word, and still cannot decline saying, that 
5 



66 LETTERS. 

Solon Currier was generally regarded here as a pious man f 
though odd and eccentric. A difficulty arose between him 
and his wife, on account of her imprudence in corresponding 
with a young man. Both himself and wife did wrong, ac- 
knowledged it, and were forgiven. She afterwards says, that 
he held her and injured her one night after retiring, which he 
confesses, but says he did not intend injuring, and thinks he 
did not very much, as he held her only a few minutes. She 
afterwards refused to live with him. He took the child to his 
father's or sisters, and after trying in vain to get her little boy, 
she went to her mother's in Wisconsin. He asked for a letter 
of dismission from the church, and his request was referred 
to a committee. He agreed to meet them on the investigation 
of the reports, but soon wrote me that he had had trouble 
enough, and should not come nigh. The committee might in- 
vestigate to their heart's content. He asked no favors of the 
church, and did not and should not any longer consider him- 
setf a member. 

In view of the reports, his own confessions, and his declar- 
ed independence, the church voted to regard him where he 
regarded himself — no longer a member, but excluded. How 
much allowance is to be made for one's peculiarities, weak- 
ness, oddities, or partial insanity, I do not know, and so can- 
not say he is not a Christian ; but nine-tenths of my congre- 
gation would not forgive me should I invite him to preach, 
which I never shall, till he manifests a different spirit. 
Yours, &c. 

I. D. STEWART. 



The letter signed " A New Hampton Student," was 
written by Edwin J. Morgan, as he acknowledged. His 
ground for charging me with falsehood was, as he asserts, 



LETTERS. 67 

m telling Joseph H. Brown and Eld. Stewart, that 1 
promised to let my wife have the boy, but would not* 

Letter from Augustus Burpee, Esq. 

New Hampton, Feb. 18, 1860. 

Gentlemen : — Yours came to hand in due season, and in 
-answer will say, that as far as I know Solon Currier he is to- 
tally unfit to be a guide or instructor to any one. I consider 
him to be a man void of truth, honor or principle, and I be- 
lieve seven out of eight of the people of this place consider 
him so. He has, in my opinion, abused his wife in a shame- 
ful manner. He has spent years of his life doing almost 
nothing, and by his unkind conduct, killed all the affection 
she had for him ; and, as I believe, in more instances than 
one, inflicted personal injuries upon her, until she could not 
live with him. And then he went from place to place and 
uttered the vilest dander about her. She for some eight years 
did the most for the support of him and family. And then, 
after having dragged her from her home a thousand miles, he 
stole her child, and then went from house to house, and said 
that she who had lived in our midst for years, one of our most 
respectable citizens, was an abandoned woman, and always 
had been. That she had been guilty of the grossest crimes 
in her young days, and he had known it for years. This part 
he told after she left for her friends. And I look upon any 
one who will do such things, as totally unfit to have reliance 
placed upon them. He is not in any way connected with the 
Freewill Baptist Church or the New Hampton Institution. 
He found the church were about to cut him off, and got the 
start of them by requesting them to drop him, which they 
did. IJook upon him as about one third fool, one fourth crazy 
and the balance of his composition knave ; this makes a cloak 
of religion to sponge what he can out of community. I think 



68 LETTERS. 

three-fourths of the community would, as I do, give it as their 
opinion, that the above is a fair description of the character 
of Currier, Remember, I give it as my opinion. 

Yours, A. BURPEE, 



Letter from B. H. Carlton, Esq. 

New Hampton, Feb. 26, I860. 
Dear Brother Currier : — I received your letter last 
week and was glad to hear from you, that you were enjoying 
yourself so well. I hope you will enjoy a full fruition of a 
tree gospel aceording to Christ and his Apostles, and I think 
you are on the right ground now, for you know that I have 
always given my influence against a proud and haughty 
church, for they have their ministers to tickle their ears, and 
to please their fancy, and cover up their faults, especially here 
in New Hampton. Now, brother Currier preach Christ and 
him crucified to the people, for I verily believe the people 
are starving for the true gospel, and there are thousands of 
true Christias in New Hampshire to-day, that would come out 
from them if som^ one would put the ball in motion. Friend 
Currier, visit the poor and needy, and minister to them the 
consolations of a full and free salvation. Be social with all, 
saint and sinner, " always abounding in the work of the 
Lord." In all things do to his " honor and glory/' and there 
Is no danger but what you will come off conqueror at last. 
Burpee, true to his instinct, still continues to talk about you, 
and says he has received a letter from some one at your place 
inquiring of him about you, but nobody takes any notice of 
him, for he is not worth noticing. As for religious matters in 
New Hampton, they as the same as when you were here, only 
hey are all taken up with politics, and think more of the 



LETTERS. 69 

Life of Old John Brown, than they do of the writings of St. 
£ J aul. Write often as you can. 

Yours affectionately, 

B. H. CARLTON. 



Letter from Albert Mosher, Esq. 

Plattsburgh, N. Y., Jan. 5th, 1861. 
Dear Cousin : — I received your letter a short time since, 
and in answer would say, that from the part I took in your 
affairs when in New Hampton, I look upon the matter in this 
wise : When conversing with Prof. Butler he seemed to wish 
to have the affair dropped and left in darkness, because, as 
1 inferred from his speech, he was afraid it would make a 
noise in the Church. He found no fault with you as far as 
your being a Christian is concerned. He even told me he 
thought you were a good Christian and meant to do right in 
all things ; but for the honor of the Institution over which he 
presided, he thought that one man had better suffer, than to 
create a muss, that might injure it, that is, the Institution. 
And, finally, from the whole of my conversation with the 
Professor and Elder Stewart, I could see a plain bearing to- 
wards the cause of your wife, although they both acknow- 
ledged that she had done wrong. One thing in particular 
led me to think so. Your wife was in possession of the like- 
ness of young Turner, which she would not give up, altho* 
she was willing to make acknowledgments before the church, 
and return to her duty, and although as the Elder told me, he 
thought she ought to give it up, still, he said, that rather than 
make a fuss, he was willing she should keep it. Now, how 
could he do so, when he knew it was a moral wrong on her 
part ? After the church trial, and while on her way from it, 
I met her ; she seemed in good spirits and even gay. I asked 



70 LETTERS. 

her, what I should tell her friends when I saw them ? Coufil 
I tell them that it was all settled, and that she was going to 
live with you as man and wife ought to live ? She said " Yes, 
I will try ; but it is hard for me to live with a man I hate the 
sight of." I knew then that although she had promised to the 
Church, she had not changed at heart. But still, the church 
overlooked her intimacy with another man and kept her with 
them. The Professor and Elder both told me of her doings 
with Turner. Now, in virtue of their high calling, how could 
they do so ? What were their reasons ? They were plainly 
these: 1st. They were dissatisfied with you. 2d. They knew 
that if the matter was fully investigated, it would hurt the 
name of their Institution and Church. Such, indeed, are my 
honest convictions drawn from the little intercourse I had 
with those men. But so long as you are right, you have noth- 
ing to fear ; the time will surely come, when your rights will 
be vindicated and you will stand triumphant before God and 
man. Until then ever believe me, 

Your true friend and cousin, 

A. MOSHER 



The following is a part of a letter written by my wife 
to Elder John Palmer of West Rosendale, Wis. 

" Many dear friends advised me to leave and I have, and 
may I have your kind sympathy, or will you blame me. I met 
many dear old friends at the General Conference this Fall. 
AH sympathized with me. Brethren G. T. Day, R. Wood- 
worth, R. Dunn, S. F. Smith, and many others. All said 1 
had their prayers and best wishes for my welfare. Could I 
have carried my dear child to the silent grave, it would have 
been far preferable. I have left Solon Currier and tfcat for- 
ever. I stopped one week and tried to get my darling Wil- 
lie. Perhaps you may think that I am the one to blame, but 



LETTERS. 71 

it I oould see you I could convince you in a few moments to 
the contrary. I have tried my best to have Currier be some- 
body, but it was no use. He has conducted so, they have 
turned him out of the School and the Church also, and the 
Faculty said, they had kept him in School for three years 
just on my account, because they pitied me. I have carried 
on the Millinery business, and got along nicely with support- 
ing the family, which I had to do the most part of." 



Calabonia, Min., May 16, 1861. 

Brother Sweet : — The bearer, Solon Currier, a Minis- 
ter of the Gospel from New Hampshire, is a member of an 
Independent Christian Society, whose views are so near like 
your own, especially as to the term of membership in the 
Christian Church, that 1 have recommended him to make you 
a visit and confer with you relative to church matters. Bro. 
Currier wishes to colonize in some portion of the West, a 
Society of Christians for the purpose oi carrying out various 
Christian benevolent schemes, especially the salvation of souls 
Brother Currier has spent two days with me. We have pray- 
ed together and held meetings together, and all has gone well. 
Brother C, tells me that he has not been ordained to the 
work of the ministry, and that in order to make proficiency 
in his work, this would be necessary. Being free from secta- 
rian trammels, you will be apt to sympathize with him in his 
schemes of benevolence and set him apart for his work by 
the imposition of your hands. 

I remain as ever yours in the hope of eternal life through 
Christ. 

WASHINGTON WENDELL. 



72 LETTERS. 

Jefferson, Wiona Co., Min., June 3, 1 ■ 
Dear Brethren in Christ 'when assembled in Conference at 
Harden, Iowa. 

We wish you to take into consideration the case of brother 
Solon Currier, with letters from Xew Hampshire, (as des- 
cribed in brother Wendell's letter.) The brethren here from 
short acquaintance, think brother Currier a man of good 
Christian character, and possessed with an ability to preach 
the Gospel. For the want of time to investigate, some think 
it not proper to lay hands on him without further acquaint- 
ance with him. Wish Elders Higgins and Lyons to take time 
to investigate the matter, and if they can do any thing^to 
help him forward in the ministry to do it soon. 

Yours in hope, 

CHAKLES PAGE. 
WM. SWEET. 



Dear Brother Lyons : — The bearer of this, it appear?, 
has been preaching in Minnesota, and that to good acceptance, 
he has been here a number of days, has preached three times 
with us and given good satisfaction. You will see by let! 
in brother Curriers possession, that he has had a cup of afflic- 
tion to drink, and as he appears to be a godly, devoted man, 
I am willing to help him if I can. You will see by the let- 
that brethren Sweet and Page think it would be right to lay 
hands on him, and set him apart to the work of the ministry. 
Examine him, and if it is thought advisable, we will attend to 
the imposition of hands during the progress of the confer- 
ence at Harden. We shall, a number of us be down to the 
Conference from this place. 

Yours in haste, 

Y. HIGGINS. 

Elder L. Lvons. 



LETTERS. 73 

Letter from Mrs. J. M. B. Mead. 

Belvidere, 111., June 5, 1361. 

Dear Friend and Brother : — I received your kind 
letter to-day, through the kindness of brother VVm. Edwards, 
who seeing a letter lor me advertised, very kindly went and 
got it for me. I am sure I cannot conceive why they did not 
send it to me as some of our people are at the Post Office al- 
most every day. I am almost afraid that this line will not 
reach you as I see your letter is dated April 25th, still perhaps 
it may, so I think I'll risk it. I was very glad to hear from 
you though so long a time had passed since you left here that 
I had almost given up all idea of either seeing or hearing 
from yon in this world again. Still I felt there was one place 
where we should meet — at the mercy seat — for brother daily 
has your name been mentioned by me among those friends 
tor whom I would implore an especial blessing at the hands of 
our dear Saviour, and I trust that sometimes you think of me, 
when you draw near to the Lord by prayer. I know that I 
have no claim to an interest in your prayers though I do hope 
I am so highly favored. I also know that the prayers of ail 
my poor life could not repay the debt of gratitude I owe you, 
regarding you, as I do, as the means under God, of my find- 
ing that peace in Christ which the world can neither give nor 
take away. Oh, I do thank God for a religion that can take 
even the fear of death away. Since 1 saw you, I have been 
very sick, so that I thought every time I caught my breath it 
would be the last time, and glory bo to our Lord who giveth 
us the victory, I not only was not frightened, but felt ready, 
and more than ready, to depart and be with Christ, which is 
far better. Contrary to my expectations, almost hopes, I have 
recovered so far as to enjoy the privilege of attending church 
several times. For two weeks I was unable to speak above a 
whisper, but now the Lord has been graciously pleased to re- 



74 LETTERS- 

store my voice. Oh, may I ever use it to his glory. Mr 
health is very poor still. Indeed I can well say, soul be thou 
also ready, u for in such a day and hour as ye think not of 
the son of man cometh." Brother will you not unite with me 
in praying that come when he may, he will find my lamp 
trimmed and burning. I have had since you were here the 
blessed privilege of commemorating the love of our Lord by 
his own holy sacrament of communion. Oh, brother Currier, 
how can I express my emotions on that solemn occasion. It 
was indeed a foretaste of heaven. I have been trying by the 
grace of God assisting me, to overcome my slavish fear of the 
world, and think I can truly say, I have, in a measure. * * 
I see I have written altogether about self. Pardon me. I do 
feel sorry for you to think how much trouble you have had, 
but you know where to go for help, and you also know, " No 
cross, no crown." Sister Derthick was here when I read your 
letter. She sends best wishes. I think she is striving for the 
crown. She is at present much cast down as her three old- 
est sons have enlisted, and gone to fight for their country. 
Roset says, don't forget her. I can't see as yet that there is 
any change in her, but with God all things are possible. Wm. 
Edwards will write to you shortly. I shall be happy to hear 
from vou again. 

J. M. B. MEAD, 



Letter from Miss Cynthia A. Langfey, of :he society 

of the friend- of God : — 

Canaan, N. II., July 9, 1860. 
Dear Friexd Solon: — Your letter, dated July 2d, was 
kindly received by me. It gives me much pleasure to think 
I have a friend who has a care or a thought for my future 
welfare. I think I have never found any one that had that 
deep interest for me that you appear to have. I hope and 



LETTERS. 7> 

trust that I am not deceived. I am happy to hear that you 
are in such good spirits, and that your faith still abideth with 
you. I feel to praise God to day that I ever found Him to be 
a just and true God. I know dear friend Solon, that I was 
lineere in making a profession of religion, and I am safe to 
say, that I felt an evidence within, that Christ had forgiven 
my sins. I know that I am a weak one among Christ's flock 
but I mean to look to Him that is mighty, and if I only look 
to Him in faith, I think he will be ready and willing to pour 
out his grace upon me whenever I call upon his mame. Dear 
friend Solon, I want you to pray for me, that I may not be 
tempted with the carnal things of this world, and be caught 
in the snare of the evil one. You speak in your letter of 
going west. I shall lament your absence greatly, but I hope 
you will not be long away, for I think you are one of God's 
children, and I feel better to spend one day within the sound 
of your voice, than I should to spend a month in the King's 
palace. "What you said to me encouraged me more than I 
can now express. You tell me that you hope I shall over- 
come the reluctance I feel to speaking m meeting. I hope 
and trust I shall. I think it is all right for me to speak of 
God's goodness in public, but I have not felt that liberty to 
speak in meetings that I wish I did, but do not judge from 
that, that my profession of religion was false. There is a sort 
of diffidence about me I have not yet conquered. I want to 
see you very much before you leave for the west. I expect 
to go home to-morrow to spend this week. II I do not meet 
you there, I hope you will call and see me at Canaan. 

Truly your friend, 

CYNTHIA A. LANGLEY. 



EDUCATIONAL KOMENCLATORS. 



We, the undersigned, for the purpose of bettering our con- 
dition in life, and that of our fellow men, form ourselves into 
a Society of Educational Nomenclators, to associate in the 
new town of Economy in the West, where the blessings of 
social ameliorations can be more equally enjoyed, taking 
advantage of the climate, water privilege, and the cheap. 
rich, virgin soil. Investigation in regard to Agricultural, Ed- 
ucational and Rural Economy at the present epoch, in an 
eventful age of progress like our own, invites the attention 
of enterprising men. We assert that general intellectuality 
should be brought to bear in a definite manner upon the ardu- 
ous labors of real life, with a quantum of moral and religious 
culture. So as to be better fitted to contend with specific 
difficulties, and secure success in the practical business to 
which we may devote ourselves; and thus a beacon-light be 
raised to accomplish real good to our race. Good books are 
our limited agents, and though they contain only the shadow 
of things, we must not undervalue them. We consider it 
most important in all matters of an educational, agricultural, 
and religious nature, to seek an understanding of the essence, 
substance, germ, pith, or kernel, and apply names, as far as 
possible, to designate what we mean. We will devote one- 
tenth of our income for benevolent purposes, when our asso- 
ciation becomes formed in the town of Economy. We design 
to erect an Educational Institution for general information 
and biblical research, which under God, we hope will be the 
means of sending out Missionaries and Bishops to advance 



EDUCATIONAL. 

the general cause of Christianity. The Institution of the 
Nomenelators, or the Friends' Home, will have for ita specific 
objects : 

1. The support of the needy. 

2. The protection of the week. 

3. The instruction of the ignorant, 

4. The reformation of the wayward. 

5. The temporal and spiritual good of all far and near. 
David Salvage, Henry Retzeback, David T. Russell, 

David J. Newman, Joseph Russell, Jacob B. Gage, So- 
lon Currier, Samantha A. Salvage, Diana A. M. Coon, 
Susannah Russell, Emma M. A. Russell. 



A word from David W. Welch* 
This brother wrote in April, 1853, indulging the hope 
of entering the Biblical School at New Hampton, as an 
indigent student. He felt anxious that the School might 
prosper, and not be built up with pride and aristocracy, 
Let us, says he, never cease to pray for its prosperity. 
David bad been preaching at Alexandria Village, with 
Eld. S. Leavitt. He also had preached on Comming's 
Hill, in Plymouth, and also in Benton, and had made an 
attempt in Sandwich Woods. Some haye sneered at his 
efforts, when behold him teaching school, white- washing, 
paper-hanging, shoe-making, peddling books, and writing 
for the newspapers. He says, "one thing should be 
borne in mind, that is, to do as well as say. There are 
two classes, one who do something, the other, forever 
talking about it, but never get at it." ■ 



CHAPTER VI 

The Letter declaring my Independence from the Church- 
Formed a Society of the Friends of God — The Free Meth- 
odists — The Case of Lottie Boomer — How I Sounded the 
Alarm at New Hampton — How Taken by the Devil. 

THE LETTER DECLARING MY INDEPENDENCE 
FROM THE CHURCH. 

My brother, Daniel H. Currier, wrote the following 
letter, and hardly knowing what to do, I signed it and 
sent it on, instead of going myself, and after which I had 
many misgivings : 

Plymouth, N. H., Oct. 17, 1861. 
To the New Hampton Village Church: 

Rev. I. D. Stewart, Pastor, Brethren and Sisters — 

I have concluded since I met you last evening, to 
make no defence against any charges you bring against me. 
I have had trouble enough, without raking the matter over 
before you ; and if it will be any satisfaction to you, you can 
investigate to your heart's content. I neither ask nor expect 
anything from your hands. I withdraw myself from ) our 
church, and shall not, under any circumstances, consider my- 
self a member of the New Hampton Village F. W*. Baptist 
Church. I have asked a letter from your hands, which you 
have refused on the ground that you wish el to investigate in 
regard to my Christian character. Right and wrong are not 
decided by woman's tears, neither by the prejudiced minds of 



80 FORMED A SOCIETY. 

a gossiping people. I trust the whole matter to a higher tri- 
bunal where justice will be meted, and where I hope to stand 
acquitted. 

Yours respectfully 

SOLON CURRIER. 



FORMED A SOCIETY OF THE FRIENDS OF GOD. 

I held meetings at Fowler city in Springfield most 
every evening, and also on the Sabbath for about six 
weeks. The following was signed by seventeen persons : 

Springfield, N. H., March 3, 1860. 
We, the undersigned, United Friends of God, for our 
mutual [rood, and the advancement of the cause of Christ, 
wish to form ourselves into a Christian Church. We 
would adopt the Bible as the man of our counsel. The 
instruction of the Gospel is in harmony with the teach- 
ings of the inner man, the law of truth written on the 
heart. Therefore, we do not wish to coerce the con- 
science of any member of our unity, but admonish eack 
other to yield to the highest conviction of an enlightened 
conscience. For som time past we have been blessed 
with the unwearied efforts of brother Solon Currier of 
Plymouth, N. H. The power of God has attended the 
word. Our hearts have been quickened and souls gath- 
ered to Christ. We believe brother Currier to be a man 
of decided piety, and called of God to the work of the 
ministry. His circumstances, however, are very pecu- 
liar. Having been a preacher in the Freewill Baptist 



FORMED A SOCIETY. 81 

connection about fourteen years, but owing to misfortune 
is not now a member of any denomination. As he pro- 
poses to unite with us, and whereas there are many re- 
ports in circulation derogatory to his Christian character, 
we appeal to the ministers of the Christian connection 
to take measures to bring the truth to light ; and if 
found innocent and qualified for the office of the minis- 
try, to set him apart to the same. 

Jethro Barber, Jeremiah B. Fowler, David S. Luce, 
Aldred H. Fowler, Enos Morrill, James S. Hartford, 
Leonard Lamphere, Hiram Barber, Lowel F. Barber, 
Henry R. Flanders, Nancy C. Luce, Christina B. Fow- 
ler, Betsy Morrill, Hannah C. Rollin3, Cynthia A. Lang- 
ley, Lydia J. Barber, Mrs. Carpenter. 



Between thirty and forty signed the following : — 
u We, the undersigned, for our good and the advance- 
ment of the cause of Christ, deem it expedient to be- 
come associated in a religious society by the name of 
The Friends of God. The sum of Practical Godliness, 
reflected in the People of God, in all time, we consider 
appropriately designated by the distinctive title, Friend 
of God, which was given to Abraham and his seed. 
Scriptural names as titles given to saints, tower far above 
those of mere human invention. Christ recognized the 
value of the relation expressed by the endearing word 
Friend, when he applied it to the branch of the true 
vine. We adopt the Holy Bible as the foundation of 
6 



82 FORMED A SOCIETY. 

our hope and the man of our counsel, but reject the 
narrow creeds of designing men, and the subtle argu- 
ments of divided and sub-divided parties, which serve to 
leave their votaries destitute of the real power of salva- 
tion from all sin. God has taught us in thoughts that 
breathe and words that burn, to keep the unity of the 
spirit ; and in order to this, we covenant to watch over 
each other for good, and strive to build each other up in 
faith and holiness, exercising that charity which never 
faileth. Our faith is founded in the love of Christ, the 
great law by which we are to regulate our course of con- 
duct to each other. Having partaken of the Divine Na- 
ture, we wish in our onward progress, to add the Chris- 
tian graces, such as love, joy, peace, union, hope and 
charity, mercy, humility and meekness, virtue, knowledge 
and patience, godliness and brotherly kindness. We 
wish to be known by our fruits, and so prove our faith 
as to manifest it by noble deeds. Our efforts should be 
directed by the word, the divine spirit, and the fire of 
the one baptism. As the Lord's freemen we enjoy lib- 
erty of conscience to yield to the highest conviction of 
an enlightened mind. No difference in manners, age, 
conplexion, rank or fortune, nation or sect, shall mar our 
union. Our object is to labor unitedly, by making a test 
of membership in the practical virtues of a godly life. 
The mass of the world and nominal professors are not 
moving in the order of heaven. Reform we earnestly 
desire. The Lord seems to be raising up the men and 
women for the contest, to forego the conveniences of ease 
and honor, to grapple with popular prejudices, that the 
powers of darkness may be shaken. A consciousness of 



FORMED A SOCIETY. 83 

being in the right, will give elastic energy to every fac- 
ulty, and string every nerve to labor for the cause of 
Christ. We will urge the victories of the cross, and 
pray that the Lord will give heroic self-sacrifice in rais- 
ing up a people united for himself. What is now needed 
is a living testimony to show forth a future increase of 
the light of the things of God. The ministers of the 
Covenant are all especially appointed by the Great 
High Priest over the House of God, and should live of 
that Gospel which they preach. Both male and female 
are found prophesying and ministering, and the apostle 
give3 direction how they should appear in the ministry, 
That we may be kept from falling we trust, not in out- 
ward ordinances, or the church, but in the arm of the 
Almighty. We wish to enter the Everlasting Covenant 
of friendship made with Abraham and his seed, that we 
may stand unshaken, and the gates of hell never prevail. 
In the Bible standard for the people, it will be a point of 
wisdom to see that each member of our unity, shall ad- 
here strictly to the immutable principles of moral recti- 
tude. Should any member's conduct be inconsistent 
with our profession, after being duly admonished by the 
scriptural rule, without signs of repentance and amend- 
ment, his name may be eraced by the general consent of 
the society ." 



84 USEE METHODISTS. 

THE FREE METHODISTS 



Upon traveling into the West I found in Illinois a new 
sect of people, called " Free Methodists." As they very 
much took my mind, I attended many of their meetings- 
In different parts, preached among them and led Class 
Meetings. Though they were much spoken against, 
they had much increase. If they were noisy, they had 
a spirit that went home to the heart. 



THE CASE OF LOTTIE BOOMER, 

This young woman was a Free Methodist, and made 
an attempt to preach. She was much interested for me f 
and believed the Lord had a great work for me, and that 
I mubt be instrumental of a thousand souls being con- 
verted. She wanted me to join the Free Methodists, and 
wrote me a number of long letters apparently brim full 
of salvation and glory hallelujah. 

The circumstances are such that I shall be able now 
to give to the public only two of these letters. I am in 
hopes to be able to produce another book, in order to ex- 
patiate more fully, and to show forth the increase of 
light If immersion is the proper mode for baptism, 
why yield to those who would lord it in substituting 
sprinkling, after crying up perfection. But let us all re- 
ceive the baptism of the Holy Ghost, and thus be made 
to drink into one faith. 



LOTTIB BOOMER. 85 

Garden Prairie, 111., March 1, 1861. 
Brother Currier: — Did you ever notice in the Spring, 
•the tiny little violet struggling in the thick sod and dry grass, 
and lifting its little head above them all, then spreading out its 
dewey leaves, as if inviting the gentle zephyr to look upon 
its success, and taste its deliciousness? I have, and how I have 
praised God for its silent teachings. So may we, with the 
divine light of the Holy Ghost, struggle through the thick, 
cold sod of despair and discontentment, trample on fallen 
hopes and false hearts, stand firmly on the Rock in promised 
ground ; take the promises of God, believe them, spreading 
out the broad banner of Holiness, and invite poor, sick-laden 
souls to come to Christ. Have a faith " that laughs at impos- 
sibilities, and cries it shall be done !" Lord give you such a 
i'&ith as this ; it is yours if you claim it. Glory to God ! Look 
up, don't weep brother, over your " desolate home." Why, 
your house is bright and fair eternally in the heavens, not 
made by mortal hands, but by God. Only think, then, son 
of king Jesus ! Your home is in Jerusalem, a City whose 
streets are paved with gold, and I believe God's chosen ones 
Live on Broadway. Go on, and win jewels to crown your 
head, and furnish your home of glory. Ask for the light of 
the Holy Ghost, to illuminate each corner of your grief-be- 
stricken heart, and fill it with the power of God. Cast the 
heart upon the altar of God, and he will take care of it. 
Why, the Lord is fitting you for a glorious work, and he will 
stand by you if you trust entirely in him, and not fix up any 
way of your own, but God's way every time. Glory to God ! 
His way is best. I love it. On the subject of Baptism be 
careful brother, or that will get you in the dark ; perhaps the 
devil will come in on that point, and betray you and lead ycu 
astray. Cast that on the altar. Immersion seems to me the 
right way, and so does it to you, but wait till you need to 
baptize some one, then ask for the light, and Christ will give 



86 LOTTIE BOOMER. 

it to you. Just ask for the light you need from day to d 
and if he wishes you to baptize, he will show you the way, 
There are shackles that bind you yet that must be brok 
Seek the light, look up ! 

Don't think I wish to advise you, not a bit. I just give 
what li^ht God has criven me on holiness. How I love tins 
breaking down of self and building up in Christ ! Don't i 
for blessings. Say new, and they are yours. Don'; 
help from men, but God. Away with earthly things ! Y 
no right to them ; thou art a chosen one of God, and 
his children where he can ; 
time. 

I feel assured that if you try to live Holy Ghost 
you have got to come out from every thing, and stand as 
of God's people, a arself as one of them ? and not 

\rv to warm up dead professors, but seek to save the I 
and above all lock up, remember if you are ever U 
grieve what I am saying and praying, look up. The L 
will provide if we never meet again, we will db 
Pray for me, and entire sanctificatk 

Yours in Christ, 

LOTTIE BOOM! 

Hallelujah to the Lamb, Salvation, Salvation. 



Do you remember, brother, that poor Indian, t 
pursued by his enemies, climbed up the hill-side and ca 
hold of a tree to stay himself, and : 
So it is with you; you were pursued by your enema 
laying hold of the tree of hope, you found silver holines 
the root. Blessed Jesus, then strike for the root cv 
Holiness in its purity — glorious lig n]n g 

what was the matter with you that you had no liberty ? 
did not get behind the ere 



LOTTIE BOOMER. 87 

for light, but sorry you don't claim it now. I tell you, you 
will have to claim it now or you never will. I tell you I al- 
ways pray for the light the first thing, and do not feel like 
asking for anything until I have the witness ot the Spirit ; 
and I believe that you must be anxious or you never will. I 
tell you, brother, the Lord wants you out and free, not shack- 
led, nor prejudiced, nor any way of your own. You must 
be free to follow Jesus anywhere. I believe the Lord wants 
you to be a Free Methodist, or he would not have brought you 
fifteen hundred miles. I don't say this to build up my church. 
God forbid. But he wants you I know to be one. Don't 
think that I want you to be one, not at all. I never will try 
to proselyte one member of a church, God helping me. 2Jow 
I have prayed for you, and it seemed to me as if this was the 
way, but don't think I want to govern you, nor dictate you; 
but it seemed to me right. I want every one to be free in 
Christ. Thursday evening — to-night ycu are going to preach. 
God help you to preach the cutting, burning truth, as it is in 
Christ Jesus. Ask for the power of the Holy Ghost, and I 
will aid you with my pra} r ers, if they will do you any good. 

Your Sister in Christ, 

LOTTIE. 



Garden Prairie, 111., Sept. 11, 1862. 
Brother Currier: — I believe Jesus wants me to write 
to you again, and don't know what he wants me to say to you, 
but will let him direct. I will tell you that I am saved through 
the blood of the Lamb, and feel just like going through with 
Jesus and take the consequences. I love the Cross of Christ, 
and esteem it greater riches than the pleasures of Egypt — am 
glad u to follow him anywhere, for I've been redeemed, yes ! 
redeemed ! O, I've washed me in the blood of the Lamb." 
Hallelujah to Jesus. I have a present witness in my soul 



88 LOTTIE BOOMER. 

" that the blood ot Jesus cleanseth me from all unrighteous* 
ness," and the love of God which passeth understanding 
barns in my soul — bless his name. 

Salvation ! How I love it — Jesus is my all in all. I find in 
Him all I need — for soul and body — and there is healing in 
his wings. He is my rock and my shield and the horn of my 
salvation, and brother Currier, I am dwelling in a munition 
of rocks — and my bread and water never fails, sure Jesus is 
a great Saviour. 

I can't tell you of all my journeyings through this wilder- 
ness — but I am out of sight of the flesh-pots of Egypt — and 
the riches of Pharaoh's daughters in the land don't move me, 
I only cry for the robe of the ransomed, and that I am put- 
ting on. 

I've been through the fire, but " the form of the fourth" 
was with me, and its purified me. I believe I know what it is 
to be baptized with the baptism of Christ, but I give glory to 
God, that he counts me " worthy to suffer affliction with his 
people." I have a living faith in God, not based on circum- 
stances, but on His immutable promise, especially on this one, 
" Whatsoever ye desire when ye pray, believe ye receive 
them, and ye shall have them." 

We are well as a family, in body, but some of us are still 
suffering under the yoke of sin, but I am believing in Jesus 
for a perfect cure. 

Aunt Harriet says, " Tell brother Currier, that she is hold- 
ing on to God for a thousand souls for you, and she expects 
to see you coming in at the last day with them." God answer 
prayer for Jesus' sake. She is a city set on a hill which can- 
not be hid, and is " mighty through faith to the pulling down 
of strong holds of Satan ;" a terror to evil doers, but a light 
for pilgrims, leading to Jesus all the while. At family prayers 
to-night, mother got a blessing that she has never before ex- 
perienced, a yielding, melting spirit. O, it is blessed to walk 



LOTTIE BOOMER. 

in the light and deal faithfully with souls. Don't never fail to 
do so. Sister Florence got religion to-night, bless the Lamb. 
Friday morning — Fast day is always a solemn day for my 
soul, yet I am always glad when it comes. I love the sweet, 
soft, solemn communications it brings to me. The atonement 
is made, the world bought back, and my whole soul and : 
redeemed from the corruptions of the fall. I believe I have 
a sweeter spirit this morning than I had last iv'_ 

Most of the Class on Garden Prairie, stand united in 
one faith. Some are dallying with the toy things 
earth, and of course, their progress is impeded, and light 
darkened. One camp-meeting at Ogle was deep and 
searching the brethren say, I could not attend. Brother 
John Collier has enlisted in the army, He believes 
is called of God to go. 

Now, brother Currier, how does y 
the way delightful? Ai e torming the walls of 

Satan? Have you succeeded in pulling any fi 
dre ? Does Jesus own your labors ai irit? 

Is your faith steady and lively? Can yon claim all H;< 
promises as yours through the blood of Jesus? Do j 
mM rejoice in a perfect salvation . sin ? Is yc 

love for souls incres the Cross 

Christ a soul-satisfying portion? Is the balm of Gii 
sufficient for every trial, every persecution ? Are 
putting on the life of Christ ? Is the way just as - 
would have it ? You do not murmur. Do you re; 
evermore, and in everything give thanks ? Are you 
as willing to suffer with Christ, as you are to reign w 
him ? ! How blessed it is to lie 
knowing nothing but thus saith tl 



90 LOTTIE BOOMER. 

no desire?, no separate interest from Christ ; willing to 
suffer, willing to enjoy, and in fact ready and willing to 
do anything to save a fallen world and establish Christ's 
kingdom on the earth. 

It takes all there is of me to obey the spirit and follow 
its leadings, and I expect it will continue to do so. I am 
every day learning the emptiness of profession, how lit- 
tle it does for us, how shallow and unreal, and more of 
my own insufficiency to do anything myself towards get- 
ting to heaven without the aid of the Holy Spirit. How 
many, many prayers, that are put up daily, are worse 
than useless, abominations in the sight of the Lord. 

I arn thoroughly satisfied that the doctrine of "total 
depravity," is true, and sincerely pray that every one 
may see it as I do, and yet stronger. I have many se- 
vere temptations, but 

" When Satan appears to stop up my pain, 

In spite of all fears, I triumph by faith ; 

lie cannot take from me though oft he lias trie!, 

The soul-cheering promise, the Lord will provide/' 

Now, brother Currier, if you feel at liberty to write- 
to us, do so, if Jesus wants you too. We are anxious to 
hear from you. We do net forget you, nor God for you. 
We all remember you as a dearly beloved in the bonds 
of peace. I answered your letter, and am anxioi: 
hear from you again. My love to all pilgrims who walk 
not after the flesh but the spirit. Hoping to meet in 
heaven, if not on the earth, I remain. 

Your Sister, 

LOTTJE. 



ALARM AT NEW HAMPTON. 91 

HOW I SOUNDED THE ALARM AT NEW HAMPTON. 



I heard the Free Methodists declare in the We.-t, 
" Belvidere is Taken." The writings of Lottie Boomer 
of Garden Prairie, 111., tended to move ray soul to sound 
the alarm at New Hampton. I appealed in meeting and 
labored wide-awake Free Methodist fashion. In conse- 
quence of my proceedings Eld. Stewart closed the meet- 
ing. Then, I said, one praying saint can put to flight a 
thousand illustrious sons of night. Elder Dean, a Bap- 
tist minister, held me, and tried to stop me. I was 
thrust down in the street. Attempting to shout, an 
effort was made to hold my mouth and carry me off. 
Dana Woodman said I had been drinking, or was crazy, 
he did not know which. In another meeting in which 
Prof. Fullonton took the lead, 1 might have disturbed 
their easy slumbers, and the Professor tried to stop 
me, as if he attempted to put his large brogans. as I 
thought, upon spiritual manifestation. He finally called 
me out of my reason. I replied, " not a bit. what some 
calJ insanity is God's sober, rational religion ;V and I was 
reminded of a doctor who called his patient clearly a 
lunatic, because instead of swallowing bis physic, be 
threw it out of the window. 

In Carlton's shop I shouted and Carlton attempted to 
hold my mouth, and then I went down thiough the street 
shouting. A student in the brick building of the Insti- 
tution said, Currier you are mistaken, this is not Jericho. 
I attempted to cry through the street early in the morn- 
insr, kk Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hatid.' 5 



)S ALARM AT NEW HAMPTOK. 

The third morning I cried ; ' Babylon is Taken/' Again 
mid again, the sound rang abroad. I svent to my room 
and implored the assistance of the Almighty. Now as 
I went forth the people were more stirred than common. 
lentfi appeared at the windows in their flaps. Upon 
going into the enclosure of the Seminary Build:, 
crying to the top of my voice, u Babylon is Taken," 
Prof. A. B. Merservey took me by the collar and de- 
manded what I wanted. Babylon is Taken. I knelt 
under the and instantly dirty water was poured 

upon me from above. The Professor said I was crazy, 
into the street and gave a testimony. I was 
Tied to Dana Woodman, Esq.. followed by 
many. I said the question of shouting in the street Lad 
the highest authority from which there 
aL ki That if they hold their peace, the 
-tones would cry out." Then they let me c:o. and I went 
through the street and shouted victory. Having taken 
U clear and resigned as I went to my work. 
Some look upon this singular development to bo caus- 
ed by derangement of mind, while others regard the 
letic. I suppose there were those who did 
not know what to think of it any more than they did 
;n the cry was anciently raised. What I 

I I leave the event with the Disposer of 
is: "Declare ye among the nations, and publish, 
I set up a standard ; publish, and conceal not : say, 
Babylon is tuken.'' Jeremiah -50 : 2. 



TAKEN BY THE DEVIL, 03 

HOW TAKEN BY THE DEVIL. 



Jonathan was taken, while the people escaped. u Es- 
cape for thy life, look not behind thee, neither stay thou 
in all the plain ; escape to the mountain, lest thou be 
consumed." If I had continued to importune like Da- 
vid, I might have been saved from falling into the hand 
of Satan. " In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust ; let me 
never be put to confusion. Deliver me in thy righteous- 
ness, and cause me to escape ; incline thine ear unto me 
and save me." 

The Devil, who is an arch-deceiver, transformed him- 
self into an angel of light, and sat a trap for me. I put 
undue stress upon my own dreams, which were abundant 
and remarkable, and allowed the dreams and the influ- 
ence of others, to get hold of me, until my own power 
was waning. 

Thomas R. Norton wrote oat his visions and dreams 
and presented them to me. He said to me, " there are 
many Hamans making a gallows for you, but it will be 
found in the end, they are to be hung on their own gal- 
lows." He gave this as the interpretation of the dream 
concerning his horse. 

Dana Woodman is a leader of the hosts of the Phil- 
istines — I of the hosts of Israel in this place. The loss 
of the horse, shows the weakness of that which he con- 
siders better security than an honest man's word. My 
caring for the suffering of the horse, more than for his 
worth, indicates my love of mercy and truth more than 
riches. His caring more for the value of the horse than 
for his suffering, indicates his love of money to be his 



J4 TAKEN BY THE DEVIL. 

ruling passion. Norton's brother, from Maine, presented 
me the following, which I suffered to rock my brain : — 



New Hampton, N. H., Feb. 18, 1863,7 
5 o'clock, A. M. > 

I with my family and some of my relatives were go- 
ing into a port to the leeward of Havana, where there 
was a river and a village, with another smaller village 
to leeward of that, with a canal running through it, from 
which the natives or negroes were carting sugar of an 
inferior quality, such as is used for sweetening spirits. 
Those who were carting the sugar were clothed well 
with soldiers' clothes, on account of the present war. As 
we passed up the shore from the vessels, we saw our 
things in the house, ready for putting in their places, 
and there seemed to be an abundance of snow for sleigh- 
ing, though they had no sleighs or sleds to use it. While 
walking along with brother Subael, we looked back on 
the sea, in the direction from which we came, and saw 
numerous sail coming along ; but one in particular had 
much trouble with head winds and calms" and currents 
drifting her to leeward, There seemed to be a perplex- 
ity arise in our living in the West Indies, as we were all 
so dark complected, that heat would tan us darker than 
would be agreeable to our feelings. 



INTERPRETATION. 

Part of New Hampshire in proximity to heaven, Lee- 
ward, — below, Natives — students and teachers, carts and 
sugar, — books, learning, knowledge and wisdom. Quality 



TAKEN BY THE DEVIL. 

of sugar — satisfactory religion. Clothes but poorly fit- 
ting — being cast off soldiers' garments, worn before the 
art of war was fully learned by government, officers or 
men. Our things seemed favorable to moving, and as 
there was plenty of snow, it seemed right to go in the 
sleigh. Looking back on the sea, seemed to be the life 
we have been living. The darkness seemed to be aboli- 
tionism. 



B. H. CARLTON'S DREAM. 

About the last of August, 1862, I dreamed that Solon 
Currier came to my door and rapt, and after asking 
him in he refused ; but finally came in at my entreaty, 
and went directly down cellar in the dark. I insisted 
upon his coming up, but he refused, saying he had no 
friend3. I told him I was his friend. Then I took a 
light and went down on the cellar stairs, and leaning 
over saw him in the attitude of secret prayer, lifting up 
his hands, and clapping and rubbing them together, as in 
natural prayer. With a sad heart I still insisted for a 
long time for him to come up until I was out of all pa- 
tience. When he got through his secret prayer, he did 
so, and made a most glorious vocal prayer in the room. 
He then gave an exhortation on moral reform, and I sang 
a hymn with my wife. I saw him dressed in a black 
suit of clothes. His face shown with brilliancy, having 
the] appearance of youth, and he said he was coming out 
a bright and shining light in the world. 



96 TAKEN BY THE DEVIL. 

MY INTERPRETATION OF THE DREAM. 

I have the evidence that this interpretation is from the 
Spirit of God. Your coming to my house and rapping, 
denotes that you wanted to see me. My expostulation 
shows that I welcomed you in. .Your going directly 
down cellar, denotes in my view, that you chose to be 
in the dark. My going to the stairs denotes, that I tried 
to enlighten you. Your kneeling in secret prayer to 
God, shows that you were willing to submit to this en- 
lightenment. Your coming out of the dark hole and 
then praying vocally, shows, that you through my influ- 
ence, meant to come up and take a high stand in the 
world. Your exhortation on moral reform, shows, that 
you had taken a position in the world. My singing a 
hymn with my wife, denotes, the joy I felt in rescuing 
you from that dark hole. The sentiment and ecstacy 
that you expressed, denoted, that you were in a right 
state of mind towards God and man, and that you had 
triumphed, and arose to position and influence in this 
world. Therefore, I feel it my duty from the Lord, to 
give you th;.? advice : 

First — I advise you to leave off riding one hobby too 
much ; in other words, I mean by this, that you should 
not so concentrate your soul on doctrine, as to disturb 
your love to Goc!, and especially his creatures. Love 
God with a full purpose of heart. Seek to know your 
duty, and not be led away by vain fancies and vagaries. 
Avoid all eccentricities, study to be wise. Be sure that 
you know what your duty is. Look out for the intrigues 
of the Devil, for he is deceitful and desperately wicked. 



TAKEN BY THE DEVIL. 97 

Be industrious ; deal justly ; honor thy neighbor whether 
rich or poor, learned or unlearned. Be social, free, al- 
ways extending a heart full of charity for your friends. 
Love your enemies, bless them that persecute you. Al- 
ways remembering that these afflictions will work out 
for you exceeding joy. And now, I am about to close. 
I do hope that you will look over this dream and the in- 
terpretation thereof, and may it sink with deep weight 
into your heart, and it will be the means of giving you 
influence and standing in society, and you have a thou- 
sand souls as trophies of your ministerial labors in the 
great and last day of accounts. 

This from your friend, 

B, H. CARLTON. 



There is one thing sure, I must come out ahead or I 
must fall behind. Like John the Baptist, I had to de- 
crease. To illustrate all the influences brought to bear 
in my defeat requires a sound mind. When I went to 
the poles in New Hampton amid scenes of excitement, 
and voted the democratic ticket, I did it under a vain 
hallucination, and therefore it was a sad blow to me. 
Dec. 18, 1861, I wrote in a letter directed to Willie, this 
sentiment. u As to the overthrow of slavery I am san- 
guine, for I have had a vision on that subject." If God 
showed rae this by his manifestation in the night, it is 
evident that the Devil cheated me terribly in returning 
to the days of my youth in which I claimed to be a dem- 
ocrat, and was therefore left in delusion of being pro- 
moted by voting the democratic ticket. 
7 



98 TAKEN BY THE DEVIL, 

B. H. Carlton rose up claiming to be a prophet of the 
Lord. He says he is sent for my rescue, and in doing it 
he will be a greater man than even George Washington 
was. He states that the Almighty God came down and 
showed him in a dream, that I was wrong, and therefore 
I must adhere to his advise as my only hope, I thought 
it was God, when it must have been the Devil that gave 
me into his hands and took away my reason. By m) T 
compliance, he pledged to the position the principal men 
of the place, and ray own relatives. Dec. 5, 1862, I 
wrote as though Lottie Boomer was sent for my rescue, 
and I thought it might be more so than B. H. Carlton 
or Thomas B. Norton, who claimed to be sent for my 
redemption, the latter by the publishing of my book. 

Carlton directed me to go to meeting, but not to pray 
nor speak. At the close of the meeting, if any one 
wishes to shake hands with you, give your band and 
shake with fervency ; walk home, if any one hallooes 
after you, take no heed to him. He claimed the privilege 
to say from the Lord what I must do, and if I did not do 
it, everything would be lost and destroyed. After the 
first meeting he wanted to see me before I went to an- 
other. He wanted a written obligation to bind me to 
my word. 



CHAPTER VII. 

\ Letter to Lottie Boomer dictated by B. H. Carlton — My 
Reason Dethroned — The State of my Mind developed in 
Strange Acts — Nearly Three Years of Asylum Life, &c. 

A LETTER TO LOTTIE BOOMER, DICTATED BY 
B. H. CARLTON. 

New Hampton, N. H., Jan. 7, 1863. 
Dear Sister: — I have delayed writing to you for 
some time, for which I ought to apologize. Your letter 
should have been answered before, but the state of my 
mind has been such that I could not see my way clear 
till now, and now with pleasure I take my pen to write 
to you, to inform you that my heart and soul are with 
you. The acquaintance that I had with your church, 
has led me to regard it as the church of my choice, and 
I believe that God by his providences has led me into 
this. I have thought of late that I should some day 
locate myself in some part of the Western Country, and 
if I do, according to the light that I have received from 
the Lord, I shall certainly join your church, and from 
the acquaintance I have had with you, I have been led 
to believe that you would be the woman of my choice. 
You have taken such great interest in my welfare, both 
spiritually and temporally, that it has called out a very 



100 A LETTER TO LOTTIE BOOMER. 

strong attachment from me towards you. The advice 
that I have received in your letters, has been so good 
and has assisted me so much, that I have concluded that 
by the grace of God, I would offer you my heart and 
hand in the holy bonds of matrimony ; and hope that 
you will duly consider and give me an early answer, 
whether you will accept me yea or nay. Let the answer 
be what it will, I shall always cherish you as a dear sis- 
ter in the Lord ; but do hope that the Lord will by his 
spirit and providences so order it, that you may be my 
dear companion for life. 

THE RELIGIOUS PART. 

I have concluded to let my book stand for the present, 
but am trying to prepare myself mentally for the preach- 
ing of Gcd's word. I have of late preached but very 
Little, but am trying to improve myself spiritually, and 
I firmly believe the Lord has been with me. I have 
taken a stand that I shall not deviate from ; for I believe 
the Lord is in it. I believe he has yet in store a great 
work for me to do, and although some have called me 
crazy, I believe that God is with me, and he will take 
care of me. I never had greater confidence in the bles- 
sed Jesus than I have now. It is true I have had some 
dark hours of trial and tribulation, but the Lord has 
promised that he would be with me, and he has fulfilled 
his promises unto me for which I have reason to-day to 
rejoice in him. I believe of late, that God has enabled 
me by his Holy Spirit, to take a high stand ; and I be- 
lieve it to be my duty, and the duty of all mankind, to 
be holy. For without holiness no man can see the Lord, 



A LETTER TO LOTTIE BOOMER. 101 

and it is rny aim to live a hdly and righteous life ; and 
by the grace of God, I mean that this shall be my great 
theme, for I know that I love the doctrine of God's word, 
and it is the doctrine that I intend to preach to a lost 
world. I love a present salvation, and I think that I do 
feel this present salvation in my soul at the present time. 
I pray God that you may go on in the high way that 
God has marked out for you to go, that you may preach 
his holy truths to an ungodly world, for I believe it the 
duty of women to preach this as well as men, if God 
•alls them ; and surely if God does not call us to his 
work, we are not qualified, and if he does call us, we are 
-commanded to obey, and go into all the world and preach 
to every creature ; and if God is for us who can be 
against us. Then let us be up and doing. Let us have 
on the whole Armor of God. Let us set our affections 
on things above, and not on things on this earth, for we 
are hid with Christ in God. Let us rejoice in well do- 
ing, hold up our heads and be bold soldiers for Christ. 
Let us walk in the path of virtue. Let us try to climb 
the hill of science and of righteousness, that we may at 
the last day of final accounts, receive the happy plaudit, 
" Well done good and faithful servant, enter thou into 
the joys of thy Lord. May this be our happy lot and 
all the rest of mankind. 

From your affectionate friend, 

Solon Currier. 

P. S, Write me immediately. 



102 MY REASON DETHRONED. 

MY REASON DETHRONED. 

My way was so hedged up in looking at the things 
which are seen, that my reason lost its sovereignty, and 
I was incited to do things in my despairing condition, that 
I would not have done in better days. To show how I 
was taken in my enfeebled state of mind, I will state, 
that for eight nights I had five dreams a night, and six- 
teen in one night ; and I saw in vision a very bright 
chain, and then the rusty hook of a cow chain, which I 
found when I worked in the hog-pen which had fifty-six 
links, the same in number as my dreams. This was pre- 
sented to me Christmas morning. If the bright chain 
indicates prosperity and the love of Christ, may not the 
rusty chain indicate adversity and the law, in which a 
man is bound by his secret sins, and the follies of the 
past, extending to early life, are brought up in vain 
vision. In this state add actual transgression, whether 
open or secret, and who will be able to stand ? Inasmuch 
as I kept myself pure and trusted in God, I was safe. 
But when I lost sight of my Saviour, and gave up to my 
feelings in my desertion, and gave myself up to the 
power of a polluted and vain imagination, I made ship- 
wreck of my faith as I fell into the mire of sin and pol- 
lusion. 

Like the prodigal son who wasted his substance in 
riotous living, I found I was giving away, under delusion, 
the one hundred dollars I had with me, or spending it for 
clothes. Carlton induced me to purchase the materials 
for a black suit, as he saw me in his dream. My coat of 
blue-gray having been soiled under the student's window, 



THE STATE OF MY MIND. 103 

and my black suit impregnated with tobacco as it came 
from the shop, and the life of my soul crushed out, I put 
on the raiment of my captivity. All such as are clothed 
with strange apparel, Zepheniah says, must be punished. 
I became like the adversaries of David, who covered 
themselves with their own confusion, as with a mantle. 
The garments spotted by the flesh are to be hated. It 
was said of some, your garments are moth eaten, but a 
few names in Sardis did not defile their garments. Joshua 
was clothed with filthy garments. The sentiment in 
Norton's interpretation of clothes but poorly fitting, be- 
ing cast off soldiers' garments, worn before the art of 
war was fully learned by government officers and men, 
tended to lead me at times to put on the garment, as it 
were, of vengeance for clothing. 

THE STATE OF MY MIND DEVELOPED IN 
STRANGE ACTS. 

Like Job, I was scared with dreams and terrified thro' 
visions. We read of those which think to cause the chil- 
dren of God to forget his name by their dreams, which 
they tell every man to his neighbor. Filthy dreamers 
defile the fle^b, and in the multitude of dreams are divers 
vanities. " When the Lord turned again the captivity of 
Zion, we were like them that dream." Harken not, 
says Jeremiah, to your dreamers. Ah ! me, I was chas- 
ed away by the vision of the night. It seemed impossi- 
ble for me to keep in bed, for I was troubled, like Daniel, 
by the visions of my head. I was verging to the condi- 
tion of her whose wound is ineurable, and who said in 
madness, " I will go stripped and naked." Yes, I was as 






104 THE STATE OF MY MIND. 

naked as Simon Peter or those who fled out of the house 
naked. When Saul stripped himself of his clothes and 
prophesied before Samuel, and laid down naked all day 
and night, they asked, " Is Saul also among the pro- 
phets ?" Ahaz made Judah naked. If Ephraim erred in 
vision and stumbled in judgment, so have I. Jeremiah's 
wound is grievous, and be cries out why is it incurable ? 
May I not say with Job my wound is incurable. The 
lying spirits of Devils have fooled roe, and lied to 
me about Willie, and said he was dead, (Sec. Why have 
I let my family be broken up without murder ? If I were 
dead, would my friends even allow me to be buried with 
others in the grave yard ? Is it not too late for me, and 
am I not undone ? I am not myself. There is a spirit 
in me to do just the opposite of what Carlton directs, in 
loving my enemies. Devoid of reason I stabbed my sis- 
ter, threw my brother into the brook, escaped to the 
mountain. Fled the second time, when my brother and 
father attempted to secure me in chains. Narrowly es- 
caped death by being taken from the river and laid out 
in chains. I have reason to be thankful to that wonder- 
ful providence and to God that disposeth events, that I 
was saved in times of mental aberration from murder, 
or doing serious injury. 

When my reason returned, if indeed I could have any 
such thing as reason, I attempted to pray. But all such 
efforts in the presence of others, did not seem to amount 
to much, and appeared somewhat like repenting up a 
precipice or into a crocodile's mouth. On the Sabbath I 
was carried down from William Blake's to Capt. Daniel 
C. Wheeler's, where the people assembled, and I was 



ASYLUM LIFE. 1C> 

permitted to pray and address them on the subject of 
religion. In this effort I suppose no one could discern 
but I was regular. For the want of permanent faith 
and self-control, I was wrecked in confusion like an an- 
cient people that the land spewed out for their abomina- 
tions. " Ask ye now," says Jeremiah, " and see whether 
a man doth travail with child ?"' Having worn my 
father's old tanning clothes, I had a change and was 
dressed up, made a prayer at home in which I had some 
liberty, and saw myself when it was too late, that I had 
forfeited my word in several instances. I was again 
chained, hands and feet, and went to Mr. Reed's and ask- 
ed my sister's forgiveness. Mercy was once asked for 
the son that was a lunatic and sore vexed. 



NEARLY THREE YEARS OF ASYLUM LIEE. 

In the custody of my con-in William Blake, I was 
taken in chains to the New Hampshire Asylum for the 
Insane at Concord. My brother Daniel accompanied 
me to the village, and on the cars I met George S. Dean 
of Wentworth. I was put in that part of the Asylum 
called the Cottage, and locked into a room in the upper 
hall, No. 12. When the doctor.-' come round, 1 answered 
their questions, as best I could, and when my supper was 
brought me by my attendant, I ate it, and at night I was 
waited upon to a bed in an other room. My attendant 
whom I heard pray, treated me well, and he acknowledg- 
ed that he knew nothing bad about me. I was surround- 



10G ASYLUM LIFE. 

ed by temptations from the insane, and I got some vain 
notions in my head which were dispelled in having con- 
fidence in what my attendant said. I kept myself from 
vice, and adhered to advice, and hope was held out to 
me by my attendant of my speedy recovery. I went to 
meeting in Vtm Chapel, and in a short time I was deemed 
so well as to receive a removal to Hall No. 6, the best 
in the Institution. I could stand it here but a short time, 
for I fancied the medicine that was given me was to my 
injury, and I was forced to take it against my will. I 
thought I was not put ahead fast enough, and being dis- 
heartened at the prospect of ever getting out, I surfer ed 
my camel nature to rise, and I reeled like the drunkards 
of Ephraim. I struggled in vain to lead my captivity 
captive. David feigned himself mad, and I gave up to 
ray feelings and the impression of sounds. I was taken 
up and laid on the bed, and the heaving of my breast 
was caused to deceive Dr. Bancroft. I was dosed which 
caused me to have an easy, quiet slumber. In ray im- 
petuosity, being enraged about my clothes, I would thrust 
myself from my bed on to the floor, and lay there until 
I was put back: Once only I tore off my shirt. I saw 
a star go down which I imagined to be my star of hope. 
For a time I thought it was wrong to go to the table and 
tat. I seemed taken by the crowing of the cock for de- 
nying my Lord and Master, like Peter. Under this hal- 
lucination, I raised a terrible cry in the night, in hope of 
deliverance. After breaking ray word in promising to 
stop several times, I verily thought in hearing to man I 
was denying Christ, and therefore I declared I would not 
stop in spite of every thing. The result was, I was car- 



ASYLUM LIFE. 107 

ried to No. 11, under No. 12 in the Cottage, or a place 
sometimes called the Devil's Kitchen. I besought my 
attendant, Thomas A. Trickey, to be a friend. He gave 
the patients plenty to eat generally, and kept everything 
looking nice and clean. He was at times very kind, and 
I thought at times he said things that he ought not, and 
pounded the patients too much. Some of the patients 
exerted a deleterious power over me, and I was becoming 
more and more under their insane grasp, and less and 
less under the influence of the managers of the Institu- 
tion. For a time I prayed long and loud in the hope of 
being delivered by God in some wonderful way, similar 
to that which was the cause of my getting into the Asy- 
lum. I was utterly divested of all hope of getting out 
in the ordinary way, and therefore as soon as I went to 
bed, or partook of food, I thought I was looking to men 
for help who would keep me confined all my days, and 
that I was living only to eat and deep. 

But when I looked to the patients for deliverenee, I 
thought they would give me great privileges, were it in 
their power, and I wanted them to take the reigns into 
their own hands. I was most all the time quiet, and kept 
my bed in the night. I was permitted to lay on the bed 
all day until I made disturbance in the night, then I laid 
on the floor. I got up one night and prayed aloud for 
one hour. When I went to sleep it was to be tantalized 
by my dreams and the lying spirits of hell. Seeing how 
useless was every effort, I made up my mind never to 
pray again. I rejected religion and the Bible, and thought 
all had proved a failure as far as I was concerned. I in- 



108 ASYLUM LIFE. 

dulged the idea that I had committed the unpardonable 
sin*against the Holy Ghost. The lewd language of tfo* 
insane women in the rooms below was calculated to fire 
the animal passions of insane meti above, and I question 
whether such proximity should be allowed. The war 
din and battle cry in the land served to deepen my mad- 
ness, and I thought if it was necessary to have war any- 
where, why not have it here ? I had the presumption to 
imagine myself the embodiment of most everything, 
even from Christ to the Devil, or that I was king of all 
the earth. I fancied the event of my coming to the Asy- 
lum was to grant deliverance to the patients, and on me 
rested the arduous responsibility of taking the keys and 
opening the doors, to give hope and life to the crushed 
and dying around me. When I looked on the dark side 
I east myself on the Hall iioor, and thrashed and hopped 
and striped off my clothes. In view of the narrow ea- 
e«s I had met with, and what the lying spirits of hell 
told me, how can it be that I can ever die, and must I 
whose hopes were once so bright, give up the battle of 
without one privilege that makes earth desirable ? 
Shall I give up in utter despair without one cheering 
ray cf light to beam upon my pathway? Who but cow- 
ards, thought I, would not fight, rather than be content 
to be crushed forever? 

Stockings for the brave, was my chance watchword in 
the insane empire, therefore I must shake myself of s«. 
much lethargy, for who would have a dead life witl 
nothing given them to do? After feeling condemned fo 
keeping back, I sought for opportunity to take the cro& 
and make a forcible effort for liberty. When I consid 



:i, they v 
•niigl me serious harm, as 

J did not. 1 
inau I 

er. Because I would not take off mj 

iborn cam. 
: ickey broke one of my teeth, and E 

in ti. i of the bathing tub of water. I w 

I 
; 
at. in thL- 



CHAPTER VIII. 

My Conversion from Insanity — My Gradual Improvement— 
At Home — Visit to Nova Scotia and Virginia — The Losing 
my Valise. 

MY CONVERSION FROM INSANITY. 

I will state that I was left to swear in my heart, tho* 
I never uttered blasphemous language aloud. I might 
have descended as low as those the scriptures speak of ? 
who eat their own dung. Like a heathen, I would tor- 
ture myself by sitting in one position, and for weeks 
would speak to no one. I thought others read my mind 
and knew what I was thinking about by a certain kind 
of magic As I rejected Christ, I believed in polygamy 
and prayed to Satan. I disbelieved the Bible in conse- 
quence of the apparent contradictions, and made a fainfe 
stride of getting up a new alphabet and a new Bible. I 
had a call which I suppose was my last to take death or 
arise, for I viewed there must be a change some way. 
Any thought of dying here, would lead me to curse the 
day of my birth as badly as Job d-d. All my broken 
powers were summoned. I had wished I could fall to 
sleep and never awake, but I found myself still clinging 
to life as a sweet boon. The change I met with seemed 
at first only to be a conversion to hell. Dr. Bancroft 
went to Europe, and Trickey went away on a visit. Dr. 
Blackmer and attendant Berry tcok their places, and the 



112 MT CONVERSION FR03I INSANITY. 

change was favorable to my recovery, for they gave me 
hope and privileges. I had arrived at the firm conclusion 
of placing myself as an obedient child under the author- 
ity that was appointed over me in the providence of God, 
Instead of being led by dreams and phantoms as I had 
been, I meant to use my judgment when my ^yes were 
open, whatever visions I might have, or imaginary voices 
hear. What is my insanity caused by the power of im- 
agination, which is new all exploded. I am really aston- 
ished at myself, that I have been so duped. It may be 
difficult for those who have looked upon me as insane so 
long, to look upon me at first as sane. But I gave such 
evidence of amendment that I was permitted to come out 
into the Hall, and come to the dining table. I was taken 
out into the yard, and walked out doors with my attend- 
ant Berry. When Trickey returned I went several miles 
with him and Dudley, and went in swimming. I was re- 
moved from No. 11, where I had been nearly two years, 
and had a corner room in No. 6. I walked out frequently 
with the patient-, under an attendant. I visited the mon- 
ument where thu Bradley family were killed by the In- 
dians, and was permitted to ride out several times. I 
wrote several letters to my brother, D. H. Currier, who 
had made me one ca! : while [ was in the Cottage. I read 
the Bible through which Dr. Chadwick gave me, and 
also read thirty books from the Asylum Library. I went 
out and worked feme on the farm and labored some in 
the Asylum. I went out to meeting a fow Sabbaths in 
the city of Concord. For several months I was enabled 
to maintain with the aid of patients, the regular reading 



MY CONVERSION FROM INSANITY. 113 

of the Bible and evening prayers in the Hall. I attend- 
ed meetings and lectures at the Chapel, and waited pa- 
tiently the hour of my rescue. Hon. D. R. Burnham of Ply- 
mouth called at my room, and spoke as though he con- 
sidered me all right. My brother D. H. Currier, Canu- 
te see me Jan, o, 186G. I was called from my work to 
the Reception-Room and met him. After conversing with 
me he said he considered me better than he had seen me 
for fifteen years. He viewed my preaching and the at- 
tempt to write a book, the fruitful cause of my insanity, 
and therefore must never attempt either. With this pro- 
viso which he brought me to, he decided to take me home 
on trial the next day. 

While I was a member of the Asylum my mind was 
too weak, and my light too dim, to stand out and argue 
these points. I felt that in answer to prayer, God had 
again returned his favor to me, and from ray despair I 
had resolved to live as much like a man and a Christian 
as possible, even if I were to be cast off at last. In my 
anxiety to be taken from the Asylum, I think the rulers 
went too far in stripping me of my rights as a man, an 
author, or as a minister. Who has any right to meddle 
with my business in publishing, or preaching, or anything 
else, as long as I conduct myself properly. I say, let the 
field of improvement and the different branches of busi- 
ness be open to all, and let me and all the rest of man- 
kind have the privilege to make the most of life. Dr. 
Blackmer wrote interesting letters to my brother of my 
condition and improvement, and recommended my being 
taken away. Dr. Brown also held out encouragement 
to me from my low estate, 
8 



114 AT H03IE. 

AT HOME. 
I was received at home and among my friends almo.?! 
as one from the dead. I spent at home about four and a ball 
months. At first I had a relapse, and was laid upon a bed ol 
languishing, and was troubled about preaching, until I resolv- 
I to obey God rather than man. To what extent must I be 
held responsible for what I said and did while I was a ctiW 
■»f the Asylum? I attended meeting almost regularly at the 
Methodist Church in Plymouth, and entered the Sabbath 
School. I attended the funeral of Mr. Smith on Comming-'' 
Hill, and also that of Mr. Binford of West Plymouth. Mr. 
Ferrin'a wife, on the Lower Intervale, and also that of my 
uncle, Miio E. Haines of Wentwortb. He held several pro*n- 
inent ofhecs and was buried with Masonic honors. Widov. 
Voung,Cephus R. Crawford's wife, widow Lovejoy,D. R. Burn- 
ham's wife of Plymouth, Widow Fellows, and F. Seavy ol 
New Hampton, died while I was at Concord. 1 might record 
die death of Mary Fox, George Lovejoy's wife, Altred Smith 
and blind William Currier's wife. I held one meeting at tiir 
French School House, and several at the School House hi 
my father's neighborhood. 

VISIT TO NOVA SCOTIA ASD VIRGINIA. 

After I had visited my acquaintance, I thought to travel 
abroad would be healthful and delightful. I went to Mere- 
dith Village and had a pleasant interview with Stilman Mo- 
- 5, who married Emily, my youngest sister. After attending 
the Sandwich Quarterly meeting, held at the Hawkings Meet- 
ing House in Centre Harbor, 1 took the boat ani landed at 
Wolf borough, and called on Elders York, Parish and Russell. 
Eld. Parish had me preach for him twice at Watter Village. 
and lie told the people that he felt the evidence that God was 
•rith me, and had called me to the work of preaching the 
< tospel. I called on Eider John Chick at 0?sipee ; and E 



AI-SIT TO NOVA SCOTIA. 115 

Naham Foss of Effingham, and several other ministers on my 
way. At Portland I met with Elder Graham and stopped 
several days with him. Met Elder Fernald there also. I at- 
tended tire meetings of the Freewill Baptist Church on the 
Sabbath, and a prayer meeting at the Sailor's Home. I land- 
ed at St. Johns in the Province of New Brunswick by the 
way of steam-boat. I stopped two days and visited minister- 
jt the Free Christian Baptist connection, Next I landed at 
Annapolis, in the Province of Nova Scotia. I attempted to 
preach the Gospel in many places, and travelled on foot about 
450 miles in the Province. I visited Elder Eaton or the Is- 
land, in the South of the Province, and attended the Free 
Christian Baptist Yearly Meeting in the North part of the 
Province. I found meeting-houses open for me in different 
denominations, and the people ready to hear, and bid me 
' rod-speed, and some contributed of their substance. 

At Black Rock I preached about two months, and then 
went to Halifax, and on the Ocean Steamer Asia, to Boston, 
Hence I went to Providence, R. I., and spent a Sabbath with 
Elder Day. At New York I found myself destitute ot 
money, and had to get trusted for forty cents express on my 
valise. I was bound to go to Virginia on faith and works. 1 
found no difficulty, and was able to surmount every obstacle 
<^ven it I had no money. But sometimes I knew what it was 
to be put in with the vagrants at the Station Houses. I 
nreaehed only once down South. I visited my sister Eliza 
Ann, and prayed around her family, and she gave me money 
rn come home. 

THE LOSING MY VALISE, 

On the steam-boat on Chesapeak Bay, just before I got to 
my sisters, I discovered that my valise was missing, and not 
to be found. It contained all my writings for a large book. 
which I had revised in Nova Scotia, and intended to get pub- 



116 <:2XG MY VALISE. 

ILshed if I could. When I found I had lost my ti 
1 bought like this: All things work for good to the Christian- 
It stands me in hand to turn my losses and defeats to e 
account, so as to be successful. What seems failure, at first, 
is only discipline. After being absent seven and a .halt" 
months, I arrived at my father's house in Plymouth. 1 
one meeting at the School-House, and attemj 
the word. 



CHAPTER IX. 

Chopping Wood — In the Book Agency — The License Ques- 
tion — Affairs with the Church — A Prayer Meeting at the 
Methodist Church in Plymouth— Letter from Dr. Black- 
mer to my Brother — Letter from Frank R. Carlton — My 
Reply and His Answer — My Speech at a Sabbath School 
Excursion — My Views and Position — My Letter to Brew- 
ster — Brewster's Letter to my Father. 

CHOPPING WOOD. 

A new era has dawned upon my life. Now without a dol- 
lar in the world, I can go to work and depend on my own 
efforts, and disappoint such as think from the past that I 
never can accomplish anything. It requires faith on my part . 
to face the cold storms of winter. Henry Homans employed 
me to chop thirty four and a half cords of wood for him at 
•ne dollar a cord. I chopped seven cords a week, and went 
about two miles to my work. Though there was much bad 
weather to work, yet I could not be induced to lose any time 
from my labor. I enjoyed myself much while thus engaged. 
I attended meeting regularly at Holderness Village, ami 
heard Elder A. Sargent preach. I was at the funeral of El- 
«ler Thomas Perkins. 

IN THE BOOK AGENCY. 

A> soon as I got my wood chopped, I had means and wa* 
ready to engage in the book business. No rains or snows, or 
drifts, or mud, detained me, and I was successful in my work^ 
And went into twenty three towns in New Hampshire. By 
the middle of July I was worth about #235,00 clear of all 
expenses. 



118 THE LICENSE QUESTION. 

THE LICENSE QUESTION. 

Esq. Rollins of Meredith Village, said I must pay a ped- 
lar's tax, and that such was the ruling of the Departments at 
Washington. Horace Wentworth of Boston, of whom 1 have 
my books wrote as follows, dated May 7, 1867 : " As you are- 
taking subscribers for us you do not need a license, you are 
at work for us. We of course have licenses for our busi- 
ness." He wrote July 23d, in regard to the tax question : 
• l If you carry around a quantity of books to sell outright, 
then you are liable to a pedlar's tax. If you simply take 
names for them and sell by sample, you should not pay it- 
However, it is of no use fighting against government. It will 
cost you five times the cost «>f the license, and as they have it 
all in their own hands, you will lose in the end. If you can't 
convince them that you are right, the next best thing will be 
to pay your ten dollars and be free from trouble in the future - 
Perhaps it would be the best way. At all events ft will be 
much cheaper than fighting it." I received the following 
from R. Knight of Concord, dated July 22d. " I have not 
beard of any agents getting licenses. I think they do not, 
and r apposed it i^ot necessary. I have sent your letter to 
Guernsey — he is up North — he will probably w/fte you. M 

AFFAIRS WITH THE CHURCH. 

At Ttrsket, N. S., I proposed to unite with the Free Chris- 
tian Baptist Church, in view of hearing ministers preach 
that it was duty, &c. The church thought that it wou?d be no 
advantage to me if I were intending tc» tiaveS, They did not 
receive me, but bid me God-speed, aud directcnl me to the 
minister's conference at Habitant for counsel. The brethren 
»'oald not constitutionally grant a license for me to preach* 
because I was not a member of any church. But tie minis- 
ters had me preach and signed a paper recommending nte at 



AFFAIRS WITH THE CHURCH. 119 

far as they knew of conducting myself in a proper manner. 
At Black Rock under advice I made another effort to unite 
with the Free Christian Baptists. The counsel was appoint- 
ed and all appeared satisfied as to my Christian character, 
but the decision was not to receive me, only on a years' trial, 
as I was considered a minister, and might be allowed the 
privilege of preaching in their houses of worship. I decided 
the most proper course was to go to the church at New 
Hampton, where I had declared my independence, and seek 
to be received back by confessing my wrong. I was present 
at the Monthly Meeting, and when my case was brought up 
by Eld. J. M. Bailey, Prof. J. Fullonton and Dta. Carter 
went out, and they decided to have the matter referred to a 
Prudential Committee. But Fullonton, who was chairman, 
had not time and health to act upon it. After several month-, 
Elder Bailey said I could live just as well out of the church 
as in it, and that it made no difference with him whether he 
belonged to the church or not, as no one asked him the ques- 
tion. He said the committee, as he inferred, did not kne w 
what to do in my case. I thought the first step for me was 
to be a Christian, and be received as such first, and not as a 
rrkinister. Several ministers in the Freewill Baptist Denomi- 
nation, and one in the Methodist, encouraged me to preach, 
and I did so. 1 received such blessing and strength, that I 
preached fifteen times in my trip to Uartlet and Wolf borough 
and adjoining towns. I felt, as though the public demanded 
my authority and standing as a minister. I felt that I must 
go to New Hampton for help in view of the demands of th 
people. As the church has neglected to receive me, and aa 
Eider Bailey told me I could live as well out of the church, I 
<:rew up the following July 8th, and labored to get the lead- 
ing men at New Hampton to sign it But no one signed J . 



120 AFFAIRS WITH THE CHURCH. 

as they were looking to Prof. Fullonton to bead the list, and 
he would not : 

This is to Certify, That we, the undersigned, citizens 
of this town, and professors of religion, regard Bro. Solon 
Currier, formerly of New Hampton, but late of Plymouth, 
N. H., to be a Christian. Furthermore, as the public wish a 
safe guard against imposture, and as he is engaged in preach- 
ing the Gospel from place to place, we cheerfully recommend 
him as a tit* subject for the Gospel ministry, and to the kind 
regards of the people where he may travel. 

Elder Bailey said, if Professor Fullonton would sign it, he 
would feel different about it, but would not object to my 
preaching, and that I had better not be in haste about it, or 
1 could do it on my own responsibility. Under these circum- 
stances, I resolved to issue this manifesto about my life, at the 
earliest possible day. 



A THAYER MEETING AT THE METHODIST CHURCH 
IN PLYMOUTH. 

I .iew the prayer meeting to be one of the most important 
meetings of a church. Elder Howard said he would not have 
any prayer meeting at his church Sabbath evening in conse- 
quence of the warm weather. But be appointed one to \h- 
holden Thursday evening at half past 7 o'clock. Aunt Sally 
Dearborn opened the house, and asked me to assist her min- 
ister in lighting it up. I tried but found it hard to do that 
\vhi *li I did not undersland. The Elder said he must lean 
if he was going to be sexton. But he started the light- in 
£ood shape. A few sisters and several young people were 
pre-ent, but the brethren were absent. Singing, praying and 
Speaking were attended to, in which I took a part, except the 
; ng. I felt thankful that I attended the meeting, ami 



LETTERS. 121 

walked two miles home very much refreshed, and determined 
to walk in the fear and love of God. 



Letter from Dr. Blaekmer : 

New Hampshire Asylum for the Insane, > 
Concord August 24. 18 G. 3. ) 
Dear Sir: — Your brother has been gradually improving 
fbrmany weeks. His old delusions seem to be fading out, and 
for a few weeks we have allowed him much larger liberties 
Mian before. Whether this clearing of the mind is to be per- 
manent cannot now be determined. I enclose a letter from 
him, which will reveal to you his present mental state better 
rljan any thing I can write. 

Respectfully, 

JOHN BLACKMER. 

A line from Frank R. Carlton, my answer and hi- 
re ply : — 

Boston, Mass., Oct. 9, 1807. 
Mr. Solox Ci'KiviER — I am tired of waiting for you: 
book, which you were going to send me the first of Octo- 
ber. You will pleaso send the book or the money by 
the middle of next week. In baste, 

Fraxk R. Caijetox. 

Plymouth, K II., Oct. 11, 1807. 
Frank R.- Carlton: — Your Lordship, Sir: Please 
find inclosed one dollar, the price of the book, and twen- 
ty cents for your trouble. The trust you put in me will 
iive an opportunity to show my honesty or rascality. 
An explanation from me seems important. Time has 
slipped away very fast and'I was hardly aware thai I 



122 LETTERS. 

was so tardy until you reminded me. Before you wrote 
I felt that I must send word to you, and because you 
paid in advance, 1 intended to deliver ray first book to 
you. Several at their option, have paid as you did. As 
I nave been hard pressed for means to publish, I hope lo 
remember the favor. J. Harvey Brewster of Laconia, 
(formerly from Mass..) has devoted his faithful labor to 
the printing of my book, lie informs me that able prin- 
ters from New York and Boston, have expressed an 
opinion, that the press-work is equal to that done in large 
cities. It has taken more time to set the type, than was 
at first anticipated, and I have made additions to the con- 
tents. In consequence it will take several weeks yet to 
complete the book. I have done my best, and do not 
wish a single subscriber to have it unless they choose. 
My purpose is to make a valuable production, and think 
more about the good I may do, than the money parr. 
Soon after you paid rne on Dimond Island, I ceased op- 
erations for the want of knowing just how to represent 
the matter. Since I have spent my time in study, build- 
ing it- nee, shovelling eo^l, shingling, chopping cord wood, 
harvesting tomatoes, pumpkins, beans, corn, potatoes, ap- 
ples and oil-nuts. 

Some of my friends have expressed a fear that my 
printer might cheat me out of my book after paying 
what I have. I tru^t confidently that he is not only a 
man of ardent business, but a gentleman of honor. Con- 
fidence between publishers or printers and authors has 
become proverbial. 

On Dimond Island Elder A. D. Smith invoked God's 
blessing upon me, at the close of my speech. When 



LETTERS. 123 

Jacob received the blessing, even through treachery, the 
purpose of the Almighty was accomplished. It would 
have been agreeable to my feelings to have got a few 
subscribers after having been publicly introduced as c : . 
man verging from the depths of insanity, but you were 
the Wily one. I heard it intimated that my book was ;<■ 
humbug. Must any regard the blessing from Elder 
Smith in the light of his wolf story. Let England's no- 
ble sons read my speech delivered on tint occasion. The 
jirls asked me to swing them, and the inquiry was male 
if I was going to write about it in my book. I was asked 
to give a little to the blind man Dudley, by one • 
-aid five dollars were given him coming over, and llio't 
me hard up not to do a bit. I put down his name, - 
as I understand he is a good man, 1 feel willing ro gi 
him five dollars after my book is published. I have 
taken pains in writing this letter, and if you wan: 
I jok still you can send me word. With your line an 1 
thi- answer, I leave friend Brewster ro fill out the clos- 
ing letter to my first volume. 

Most faithfully submitted, Solon Currier. 

Boston', Mass., Oct. 23, 18G7. 
Mr. Solon Currier: — Dear Sir — Your letter of the 

1-Uh is received. As regards any trouble on my part, 
1 don't think there is any at all. If you wish to -end me 
your book when it is published, I should like it, ami I 
will send the dollar when I get it. Enclosed please find 
rhe twenty cents you so generously fyrwarded to me. 
In haste, Frank It. Carlton. 



124 EXCURSION. 

A SABBATH SCHOOL EXCURSION. 

The following is a speech which I delivered on the 
stand at Dimond Island in the Summer of 18G7. I war- 
introduced by Elder A. D. Smith, as a man recovering 
from the depths of insanity. At the dose of my re- 
marks he said I had done well, and pronounced the bles- 
sing of God upon me. 

To the Friends and Patrons of the Sabbath School Enter- 
prise, connected with the Congregational and Freewill 
Baptist Societies of Laconia, N. II. 

I am happy to be with you to-day on this excursion to the 
Lake-girt Isle, and so much the more as the signs of rain 
which the cloudy canopy of heaven, threatened in the morn- 
ing, are dispelled by the brightness of the noonday sun. The 
beauties, harmonies and sublimities of nature arc all about 
.-..The grove, the cooling breeze, the picturesque landscape, 
fhe variegated scenery, with the many islands in the midst r.t " 
purer waters than the old Ocean's brine, of which the Win- 
nipesaukee can boast, serve to expand the heart and enlarge 
tin* views, of such as have their feelings pent up in village 
es. On such an interesting occasion as this, when tin 
- stretch forth their arms to heaven and praise God, and 
the better feelings of" our hearts get the upper hands of u>, I 
would take occasion to congratulate the friends who are en- 
gaged in the promotion of an institution, around which are 
lustered some of the brightest hopes of the Church of tin 
Redeemer. While pondering upon the demands of the age., 
remembering the almost omnipotent influence of early mi- 
nions, encouraged by the past, and relying upon heaven's 
promises for the future, who, I ask, would not engage, with 
willing hearts in the "instruction of children ? It cheers nv) 
heart to hear the great principles of a common humanity pro- 
claimed here to ilav. It is a great thins to understand the 



EXCURSION. 110 

et springs of all our acts in life. "Know thyself," was 

an inscription upon a temple of the gods, and Thales tfce 
militian, is said to have been the first to give self-knowledge 
its due importance in the- process of training individuals for 
the scenes of life. He was often heard to say. that it is the 
hardest thing on earth for one to know himself. Considering 
the nature and depth of this kind of research, it is doubtful 
:hat few have carried it to its fullest extent. In order to 
one must know his real abilities, both of body and mind, be 
must understand where are the bounds to his corpcrial and 
mental nature ; needing none to inform him what he can ac- 
complish, and what he cannot. How will he act his part when 
inextricable difficulties crowd around his path? Surely to 
know all this is no slight, no ordinary task. It can be learned 
only by close application of thought to one's self, and by 
actually experiencing the different conditions through which 
man is called to pass. How futile for him to say as many do 
by way of censuring another, " I know I would not do as he 
does. I know I would act differently." Sir, you know now 
nothing as to how you would act, unless you have been plac- 
ed in precisely the same circumstances ; and perhaps if you 
have, you found you could not manage half as well as he. See 
a person possessed of self-knowledge in a high degree, who 
.has a proper sense of his relations to his fellows and to his 
-jrod, he will act with dignity and discretion in all the scenes 
of life. Is he superior in rank or character, he is still sensi- 
ble that he is only a man, subject to the same frailties, pains 
and passions as other men ; or is he in the more humble 
walks of life, he knows how to be content, quiet and thank- 
ful in his lower sphere. Or is he about to decide what occu- 
pation is best for him to follow in the great business affairs of 
this life, he will know what is best adapted to his capacities, 
and thus be enabled to take the wisest choice. The Sabbath 
School is a place where we may learn much of ourselves. To 



126 MY VIEWS AND POSITION. 

obtain this kind of information, should be the effort of us all. 
ibr upon its possession depends, to a great extent, one's pros- 
perity or adversity here, and his happiness or misery both 
bore and hereafter. Well might the poet say : 

" Know thou thyself, enough for thee to scan, 

The proper study of mankind is man." 



MY VIEWS AND POSITION. 

I believe in the life and power of religion, and in loving 
t lod with all the heart, and our neighbor as ourselves. Chris- 
tian perfection may be enjoyed by such as seek it by faith in 
I -hrist. I take the Bible for my creed, and fellowship all that 
love and adore the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. No pro- 
fessions, or preaching, or writing books, will carry me to 
heaven. I must live the life of the righteous in order to bo 
accepted of God. Faithfully submitted, 

SOI.OX Ct'RRlEK. 



Letter to J. Harvey Brewster. 

Plymouth, N. II., Grafton Co., Nov. 7, 186 7. 

John EL Brewster, Printer — Dear Sir :— It is with much 
pleasure that I am enabled to complete the exceedingly long 
and laborious task of producing my book. The voice of God 
and men indicate that this effort should be cut short in right- 
eousness, without the addition of Chapters X. and XI., about 
which you wrote, expressing your mind by a long letter. I 
think I had better take the advise of Jason F. Draper, who 
having been to school to Hiram Cass, thinks I had not better 
add to this volume, but some time get a large one published. 

Sir, you know very well that in writing, a person makes i 
very awkward appearance when cramped, to what he does in 
a time of deliverance. My undue anxiety about enlarging 



letters. 127 

the contents of " The Wheel of Fortune" against which Proi. 
George H. Rickcr, Principal of Gilford Academy, gave me a 
friendly caution, grew out of the result of the mistaken cal- 
culation of my friend Elder S. Ketcbum, who wrote tin 
notice of my book, which appeared in the Independent Dem- 
ocrat, estimated at about two hundred pages. No wonder that 
mv great courage failed me, when I found I had in some re- 
speets unintentionally misrepresented the matter. You have 
discovered that my attempt to retrieve myself, by adding two 
Chapters, under such auspices, was uncalled for and imprac- 
ticable. The four hundred subscribers for my book, which I 
obtained mostly in Plymouth and New Hampton a few years 
ago, will excuse the long delay, when they consider it was not 
in my power to publish. I wish to know wherein I have failed 
and learn to use refined language. If Prof. J, J. Butler, who 
has just returned from a European tour, would not invade, in 
writing for the morning Star, about England, the precincts of 
private life* to gratify curiosity, no more would I. Rather 
than do this, I would observe the saying of a crippled soldier, 
David Glinn, viz : " If I ever pitch my tent again it shall be 
where the Devil can't come in." 

I will mention a little item about my present work : Thomas 
F. Glinn, formerly a student at New Hampton, came into the 
woods beyond the pond, and was surprised to see about thirty 
cords of wood put up by me in so short a time. Some want 
to know why I am not preaching. Let it be remembered 
there are other ways of doing good without preaching. I have 
been permitted to listen, with much interest, to the preaching 
of Elder Daniel W. Barber, in Bridgewater, and seeing there 
a good work of grace. I have enjoyed much in the revival, 
and felt peace and consolation. 

You say you do not wish me to deny myself necessary 
things in order to save money to pay you. In view of your 
willingness to be responsible for the binding of the book?. 



128 LETTERS. 

and your desire to have me appear in good spirits and \ 
dressed, please accept my lasting gratitude and friendship. 
In several defeats from publishing my book, I view a p 
crous Providence. Having been about twenty-one years sin.-'- 
1 first began to write the history of my life, may I not reg 
the successful issue an occasion of joy and gladness, lik^ 
)l a mother over her first born. As I close I would rem; 
from the depths of despair at the Asylum, hope revived as I 
called to mind my wonderful deliverance in the night at New 
Hampton. No wonder the inspired Psalmist exclaimed, '• I 
call to remembrance my song in the night." 

Forever yours, Solon Currier. 

Letter from J. Harvey Brewster : 

LACONIA, N. II., Nov. 14, 1SG7. 
Mr. Aaron* Currier, Plymouth — 

Dear Sir: — As your son kindly suggests that I sho 
4 - fill out the closing letter" of this volume, I beg to say 
my acquaintance with Solon has been very pleasant ; f'-.-w 
men have greater industry and perseverance ; and, in o ir 
intercourse, he has always been gentlemanly and \cvy con- 
scientious. At the beginning of the printing of his book. I 
intimated to him the propriety of submitting the copy to a 
gentleman of this vicinity of high literary attainment' 
old acquaintance and teacher of his, for revision. His r 
was, u Then it would not be my book." His wish was that 
the book ihould be the result of his own labor — and such it 
is. Many of his friends may have differed with him as t 
expediency of the undertaking — but all, I think, will admit, 
that the result is very creditable to him. 
Your Obt. Servant, 

J. Harvey Brewster. 

FINIS. 



